Most Betway Premiership coaches say that if the performance of various teams in the MTN-8 competition this past weekend is anything to go by, then they expect the upcoming season to be more competitive.
A total of sixteen goals were scored in four fixtures played on Saturday and Sunday, setting the tone for the 2025/2026 Premier Soccer League season.
All sixteen of South Africa’s top-flight teams will be in action this coming weekend to mark the start of the new season.
Many have tipped PSL defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns to win their ninth league title in a row.
Over the years, Sundowns have been unstoppable on the local football scene.
The team has won league titles under several coaches, including Pitso Mosimane, Rhulani Mokwena, and Manqoba Mngqithi.
Portuguese Miguel Cardoso only joined the club in December, but has already won the league with the Brazilians.
Cardoso says they won’t expect the new season to be a walk in the park but will instead do their utmost to be head and shoulders above the rest.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says, “We always need to push ourselves to achieve better as a team. Sundowns will continue to be a competitive side, but it will not be easy. The plan is at least to win cups this season, and the CAF Champions League will also be important.”
Many expect Orlando Pirates to be the team that will push Sundowns to the bitter end. But Pirates are under a new coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, formerly with Marumo Gallants, and have signed eleven new players.
After training with his new club for five weeks during the off-season, Ouaddou is a very confident man. “Yes, without any doubt, the league title will be our main target this season.”
Amazulu FC coach Arthur Zwane says their aim is to do better than in the previous season after finishing sixth.
Zwane agrees that it will not be an easy one for Sundowns this season. “Yes, everything favours Sundowns but football is a funny game. There are a lot of teams that are extremely strong and will give Sundowns a good run for their money. Pirates are strong, and so are Sekhukhune and Stellenbosch. It’s not going to be easy for Sundowns.”
Polokwane City, which has finished in the top eight bracket twice in a row, also expects to improve in the 2025/2026 season.
Coach Phuti Mohafe vowed that Sundowns will have a tough time. “As Polokwane City, we will always fight for three things. We will always want to survive relegation, and then we want to finish in the top eight or even challenge for league honours. It is going to be difficult for Sundowns if you look at the performance of Pirates and Stellenbosch and other teams in the MTN-8.”
After failing to finish in the top eight two seasons in a row, Kaizer Chiefs are aiming for a big improvement.
Coach Nasreddine Nabi says that although they don’t have a specific target for the season, they will play every game to win.
After ten years without winning a trophy, Nabi says supporters will have high expectations this season. “The expectations from the fans are normal. Our supporters waited for so long to see their team challenging for trophies again. We will do everything possible to redeem the club.”
In one of the six matches scheduled for Saturday, Sundowns will travel to Chippa United.
Amazulu will welcome newcomers, Orbit College FC, with Orlando Pirates hosting a formidable Sekhukhune United in Soweto.
On Sunday, newly promoted Durban City will travel to TS Galaxy, with Stellenbosch F.C. facing Kaizer Chiefs.
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