For nearly a decade, Mamelodi Sundowns have dominated the Betway Premiership, often clinching the title with weeks to spare. However, Sekhukhune United head coach Eric Tinkler believes the “unassailable gap” the Brazilians once enjoyed may finally be narrowing.
Speaking on the shifting landscape of South African football, Tinkler suggested that the 2025/26 Betway Premiership title race is set to be the most competitive in recent memory.
A primary factor in Tinkler’s assessment is the demanding nature of the football calendar. As Sundowns continue their pursuit of the CAF Champions League, a campaign that involves extensive travel and high-stakes continental fixtures, the physical and mental toll on the squad is becoming increasingly apparent.
WHY TINKLER BELIEVES IT’S GOING TO GET HARDER FOR SUNDOWNS
“For Sundowns, I think it’s going to get harder and harder now because they’ve qualified further into CAF,” said Tinkler. He was speaking at the Nedbank Cup press conference in Sandton on Thursday, ahead of his team’s clash against AmaTuks on Sunday.
“I saw that TS Galaxy are taking them to [KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga] for their Nedbank Cup Last 16. That’s the other end of the world, and that just makes their life a lot more difficult. I can’t take away the quality they have; have they done this before? Yes, [they have managed heavy schedules while winning the league].”
Tinkler believes that while Sundowns are focused on continental glory, the rest of the league has been steadily “raising the bar.” He noted that many clubs are no longer intimidated by the defending champions.
It isn’t only traditional powerhouses like Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs that are closing in. Tinkler highlighted a broader group of clubs, including his own team Sekhukhune, AmaZulu FC, and TS Galaxy, that have improved their technical and organisational structures.
“But as I said, what’s important here is that other clubs have raised the bar,” added the Bafana Bafana legend. “Pirates have raised the bar, and we [Sekhukhune] are currently raising it. Kaizer Chiefs are performing much better than in previous seasons, and AmaZulu are having an outstanding season with a young squad. Galaxy have also got a lot better. There are going to be teams taking points away from Sundowns, so I don’t see that gap getting massive.
“A few weeks ago, the gap between ourselves and ninth place was smaller. But the gap from third to ninth has actually grown now. Previously, Sundowns would be nine points ahead of everyone else at this stage, with Pirates perhaps four or five points ahead of the rest. Now, the gap between 13th and 5th is significant, which shows a real improvement in the quality of the teams competing at the top.”
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