Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has put his head on the block and predicted that Mamelodi Sundowns will defend their DStv Premiership title ahead of Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City.
Khanye said this as the 2023/2024 season starts this coming Friday with Sundowns involved in the opening game of the campaign away in Polokwane against Sekhukhune United.
The iDiskiTV analyst went as far as saying it will take many years before the former African champions are dethroned domestically, likening Sundowns to FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich in Spain and Germany, respectively.
“It’s going to take so many years to break them,” Khanye said on iDiskiTV.
“Pitso has laid a strong foundation and the structure is still solid. Rulani came and complimented it, even though I feel they failed last season. They don’t just sign players because the transfer window is open. They sign players because of the need of those players.
“Thapelo Maseko was the best player for SuperSport and Sundowns didn’t have an out and out player, especially one that plays left-forward. That boy is very skilful and he’s going to complement them and he is comfortable technique-wise. The guy they signed from Stellenbosch, Mendieta is a very good player, he can play as a number 10, right-forward and he can cut in. He is going to be difficult. I’ve also watched clips of the Brazilian, very dynamic I mean he’s Brazilian you know and he can score goals.”
Khanye’s number two is Orlando Pirates because of the signings that they have made. Khanye says Pirates’ speed and lack of game management against tough opponents are other reasons he thinks they cannot win the League title. Despite winning two trophies in his first season as the Buccaneers coach, Khanye says he still has his doubts about the Spanish mentor.
“They’ve got individual brilliance and I’m still questioning Riveiro’s coaching. Yes he has won but I’m still questioning his coaching a lot. Even now I want to see how he’s going to cope in the Champions League,” he added.
“I think he’s going to be tested because let’s be honest some teams in the DStv Premiership are easy. Yes, they have a lot of players but their coach, there wasn’t consistency in the starting 11 and you couldn’t even tell the winning team.
“Sometimes a player would just come from the stands or the bench and start a game. The coach would draw matches that mattered, so I don’t see them ending up at number one.
Khanye also predicts that Cape Town City will finish third, saying Eric Tinkle’s side has created a good structure which proved vital when City lost quality players last season and were still able to frustrate opponents.
“Number three will be Cape Town City. Eric Tinkler is an excellent coach and he knows his players in and out. Last season he lost many quality players like Fagrie Lakay and others. He has strengthened his squad this season and I think he will take 3rd place,” he concluded.
You can listen to Khanye’s predictions on iDiskiTV official YouTube channel.
