Extra Time: Even this early into the new season, it’s clear that nobody will be able to catch Mamelodi Sundowns, argues Michael Madyira.
Mamelodi Sundowns are already pulling away from the pack in the Premier Soccer League standings, and the outcome already seems like a given.
In recent seasons it has proved difficult for their PSL rivals to close in on them once they open at least a nine-point gap at the top of the table.
Traditional rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have been struggling to break Sundowns’ dominance of domestic football.
It looks like it’s an already concluded season as Masandawana have set themselves on course for a record-extending seventh PSL title.
The Brazilians’ supremacy has highlighted the shortcomings of Chiefs and Pirates.
Amakhosi missed an opportunity to go second on the standings when they lost 1-0 to Cape Town City at home on Wednesday.
It was Chiefs’ fourth defeat of the season in nine league games and they have 13 points fewer than Masandawana who have a game in hand.
They have made life difficult for themselves in the bid to catch up with Sundowns.
Another Soweto giant, Pirates, is currently sitting on a four-match losing streak across all competitions and they are 13th on the PSL table with 17 points behind the log leaders.
Again, they have an almost impossible task to level up with Masandawana.
The struggles of Chiefs and Pirates brings back talk about the quality of their squads as well as tactics employed by the coaches.
Some are already saying that the Soweto giants made mistakes in the transfer market by bringing in low-quality players who aren’t making a difference.
However, there is still a chance for Chiefs and Pirates to get themselves back into the PSL title race.
With the Sea Robbers out of the CAF Champions League, they will be fully focusing on domestic duties just like Chiefs.
They would need to take advantage of Sundowns’ crammed fixture schedule which could lead to fatigue as they also contest in the Champions League and the inaugural African Football League.
Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa celebrating with teammates
Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns
