by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – IT is early days yet but if the opening weekend results of the South African topflight are anything to go by, Mamelodi Sundowns will again be the team to beat this season.
Orlando Pirates will once more be the biggest rival to Sundowns’ unprecedented dominance while Stellenbosch will give them a good run for their money.
Sekhukhune are the dark horses.
The Premiership opened this past weekend with the MTN 8, contested by the teams that finished in the top eight in the prior league campaign, won by Sundowns for the eighth successive time.
Downs rarely shifted from first gear against visiting Richards Bay but were still 4-0 winners at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe in Pretoria on Sunday evening.
While they are the undisputed league champions, the MTN 8 is the cup that most eludes The Brazilians, having last won it in 2021.
Pirates have won the latter three editions in a row and made their intentions known by making light work of visiting Polokwane City, prevailing 2-0 at Orlando, Soweto on Saturday.
The encounter at the traditional home of South African football was a sold-out affair.
The draw conducted on Sunday pits Pirates and Sundowns in the two-legged semifinals.
Sekhukhune and Stellenbosch will contest the other semi.
Sekhukhune beat TS Galaxy 3-2 in Limpopo while Stellies eliminated AmaZulu by a similar scoreline in the Western Cape.
The Betway Premiership starts this coming weekend.
Sundowns have dominated the league in recent years with Pirates the only side to offer a challenge.
– CAJ News