Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns should watch out for Orlando Pirates this season in title race, former midfielder Bennett Chenene has warned.
Pirates have been one of the busiest clubs in the transfer window, with the club reinforcing coach Jose Riveiro's squad in almost every department in preparing for the DStv Premiership and CAF Champions League.
Following the signings of Lesedi Kapinga and Karim Kimvuidi which have been confirmed by the club this week to add to Patrick Maswanganyi, Katlego Otladisa, Melusi Buthelezi and Siphelo Baloni, Chenene is convinced that Bucs could be the team to stop Downs in their dominance in the league.
Pirates will open their league campaign with an away match against Stellenbosch FC on August 05 at the Danie Craven Stadium, while their first Champions League fixture will be against Djabal Club from the Comoros in the preliminary rounds of the competition on the weekend of the 18th of August.
The Good
"I am confident in Pirates' chances this season that they are going to do well. I like how the club has signed the new players and have been impressed with the team's preparations that have been on another level. They have just come back from Spain and you can just tell that the club is serious about the season ahead and want to do well to continue from where they left off last season. I see them giving Sundowns a run for their money in the race. I am expecting Pirates to do well and I am sure they will do and Sundowns should watch out," said Chenene.
The Bad
"Sundowns didn't have the best of finishes last season and that should be a concern for them. I think they will be under pressure and they know that they will have to have a good start or else they could end up feeling the pressure throughout the season. They are still a good team but the fact that they didn't finish well could lead to them not having a good start and that could be an advantage for Pirates. About Chiefs, I don't think they will have the best of seasons but I don't feel that they will have a better campaign that the previous season," he said.
The Ugly
"I would like to appeal to the fans to support their teams fully and stop this thing of booing players and putting them under unnecessary pressure. Players know what they are doing and coaches know what they are doing by fielding them and the fans should just support and stop wanting to make the decisions," concluded Chenene.
Are Pirates strong enough to win the league?
