The 2023/24 DStv Premiership fixtures are out and a challenge has been made to Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and the rest of the teams in the league to again try and dethrone the Chloorkop outfit.
The Brazilians have won the title six times in a row, and on eight occasions in the last 10 seasons, as the Buccaneers, Amakhosi and the rest of the teams have struggled to topple them to the thrown.
With the teams currently in pre-season and new signings being made to strengthen the squads, while other players are being released from their respective clubs, predictions are being made on the likely outcomes for the upcoming season although many are still picking Sundowns as the favourites to do it again.
Former Pirates and Bafana Bafana defender Edward "Magents" Motale discusses the first five fixtures for the 'Big Three'.
Sundowns' first five league fixtures: Sekhukhune United (A), Chiefs (H), Golden Arrows (H), Richards Bay FC (A), Polokwane City (A).
Pirates' first five league fixtures: Stellenbosch FC (A), Royal AM (H), Chippa United (A), Moroka Swallows (H), Cape Town City. (H).
Chiefs' first five league fixtures: Chippa United (H), Sundowns (A), TS Galaxy (A), AmaZulu (H), Stellenbosch (A).
The Good
Magents on Pirates
"I think Pirates will have a great season based on the fact that they finished the previous season on a high note and it will be building from there for them. Also, they won two trophies which was a huge confidence booster for the team. From the first five matches for them, the only worry for me is the Stellenbosch fixture. I see them (Pirates) getting 12 out of the possible 15 points from the opening five matches of the season," he said.
Magents on Chiefs
"I don't think they (Chiefs) will beat Sundowns, especially with the match being away. They will beat Chippa, AmaZulu and TS Galaxy. I give Chiefs will accumulate a total of nine points from their opening five matches. I think he (Molefi Ntseki) is the right choice for the club as their coach and the positive about his appointment is that he has been in the set-up all along. He is the best man for the job based on the team dynamics. Probably, he knows by now what the missing links are for the team. I also think he will be very good to work with along with the other technical team members because they have been working together all along," he added.
Magents on Sundowns
"I give them 12 points out of the possible 15 from their first five fixtures. I don't think they will beat Sekhukhune because they have always struggled against them. I think they will win all the other four matches," the former left-back said.
The Bad
"Stellenbosch has always looked like a hoodoo team for Pirates, especially when they play in the Western Cape. A draw for them against Stellenbosch will be like a win. I think Polokwane City haven't signed well for the season and they still have several players from the First Division (Motsepe Foundation Championship) and I see them struggling against Sundowns. For Chiefs, and having a new coach in charge, it is unlike having a new person altogether who would have to start from scratch and learn while on the job and trying to figure out what has been done wrongly previously," he said.
The Ugly
Magents on Khama Billiat's absence from Chiefs camp
"Players need to understand sometimes that there are things that will be beyond their control. Billiat was hit by injuries and he struggled at some point with loss of form. The club is doing the right thing by wanting to give him another chance in the team but if he feels that whatever he is being offered isn't worth it, he should then make a choice. He shouldn't just vanish," concluded Motale.
Will Pirates and Chiefs struggle to end Sundowns dominance?
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