Junior Khanye has given his predictions for the 2021/22 DStv Premiership campaign, saying Kaizer Chiefs will finish outside the top three.
The iDiskiTV analyst believes that Mamelodi Sundowns will defend their title once, even though he has not been fully impressed by their signings.
“Mamelodi Sundowns are going to win the league once again. They have a really strong core of their squad, and they still have the best assembled team in the league,” he wrote in his iDiski Times column, edition 32.
“Foundations are important in every environment, Sundowns have had a solid foundation for a very long time especially when Pitso was still there.
“For example, they have cover in all the important positions; at centre back they have Ricardo Nascimento, Mosa Lebusa and Rushine De Reuck to mention a few. Manqoba Mngqithi, Rulani Mokwena and Steve Komphela have now tasted what it feels like to win the league and they have been part of the team for a long time.
“I have been saying that some of their signings are just business deals, with players who don’t suit the style of Sundowns, but overall, I am very confident that they will easily defend the title. Sundowns have won four league titles in a row.”
Khanye also predicted Pirates’ coaching change ahead of the 2021/22 campaign but insists their squad is still strong enough to finish in second, ahead of AmaZulu and Chiefs ending in fourth or fifth spot.
“Orlando Pirates can finish second place! The problem with them is their coach Josef Zinnbauer (who has since resigned). Pirates, as I always say, has the second-best group of players after Sundowns. Last season they finished third and Instead of improving from that position and winning, I think they will be runners up.
“AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs will scrap for a 3rd and 4th place. Remember that Benni McCarthy’s side finished second last season.
“I think they will be third place next season. I know they don’t play the best of football, but they have good players like Augustine Mulenga and Makhehlene Makhaula who can carry them.
“Chiefs will either be fourth or fifth. It will take some time for them to get the winning combination.
I also think that Stuart Baxter might find it hard to deal with the pressure and expectation of having a good squad assembled for him.”
Khanye discussed Percy Tau’s imminent move to Al Ahly and why he should snub the interest from Pitso Mosimane in this week’s column in iDiski Times.