Will Sundowns win a record-extending 14th PSL title?

The knives are out again and battle lines are drawn.

Dstv’s glamorous, exciting money-spinning South African Premiership race is here once again as the big and (not so big) guns chase the plum prize of R15Million and a glittering trophy that guarantees fame and a ticket to represent Mzansi in CAF’s prestigious Champions League.   

Already, reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns got their title defence off to a flying start on opening day of the new season, winning 2-1 away at Sekhukune United and sending shivers down the spines of their opponents.

Sundowns have won the South African Premier League a record 13 times since inception in 1996 with the other three titles coming during the National Soccer League (NSL) era.

Over the years, the Brazilians, as Sundowns are known by their teeming fans, have been able to redefine the game at local level while translating financial might to title winning supremacy on the field of play.

Their current dominance stretches back to the 2015-2016 season, culminating in seven consecutive league titles and one CAF Champions League gong in the bag.

Titles coming in thick and fast and jaw dropping performances in the last couple of seasons have clearly established Sundowns as the greatest team in South Africa, and they haven’t even started yet.

However, the champions must be wary of a stronger, more competitive playing field this term as their closes rivals are hungrily waiting to pounce. Teams like Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Cape Town City and Kaizer Chiefs will strive to come to the party after making a number of changes to their respective squads.

Already, Kaizer Chiefs, whose eight-year trophy drought is a big source of worry to their massive fan base, have shown intent with the hiring of former national team coach, Molefi Ntseki while cross town rivals and multiple cup champions Orlando Pirates boosted their squad with seven top quality signings.

Elsewhere in Gauteng, SuperSport United will be hoping to improve on their third place finish from last season. Mantsantsansa raised the bar by signing up a few internationals including Zimbabwean midfielder Terrence Dzvukamanja from Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana centre back, Siyanda Xulu. 

Upfront, Nigerian striker Etiosa Ighodaro comes with some Premiership pedigree following a successful loan spell at Chippa United where he notched up 10 goals , while young forward from Highlands Park, Risen Albert, provides some cover.

The rest of the pack will either make or mar the title-winning chances of the Top Five, while also battling to secure their own Premiership status. 

In The final analysis, we are all in for another exciting, fun-filled Dstv Premiership football season served hot and spicy from Mzansi. 

SQUAD NEWS

AMAZULU
Usuthu finished last season in 12th place.
Nine  new players signed in current season, includes Rowan Human, Wayde Jooste, Celimpilo Ngema, Mondli Mbahjwa, Mfanafuthi Mkhize, Victorien Adebayor, and Victor Letsoalo.
Team lost final of Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup, a preseason tournament, to local rivals Royal AM 1-0 after previously beating Richards Bay (on penalties) to win the KZN Premier’s Cup.
Head Coach: Pablo Franco (Spanish)
Home ground: Princess Magogo Stadium
Nickname: Usuthu

CAPE TOWN CITY
Impressive 4th place finish in 2022-2023. Quality signings this term striker Khanyisile Mayo from Chippa United, and towering centre back Ramazani Tshimanga from DR Congo on a five-year deal. Also Tshegofatso Nyama, and Angolan striker Jo Paciencia. 
Head Coach: Eric Tinkler
Home ground: Athlone Stadium
Nickname: The Citizens

CAPE TOWN SPURS
Signings have not been the order of the day here as with the new kids on the block. Head Coach Shaun Bartlett says continuity is the key word as the Cape town side stick to a majority of the squad that brought them back to the Premiership. Veterans Michael Morton and Clayton Daniels will offer needed value in terms of experience.
Signed midfield general Keegan Buchanan from AmaZulu
Signed three-year partnership with local Sneaker brand Monosi Movements
Head Coach: Shaun Bartlett
Home ground: Athlone Stadium
Nickname: Urban Warriors

CHIPPA UNITED
Perennial strugglers; finished in 14th position last season, reappointed Morgan Mammila, who was with the Chilli Boys in interim capacity last season, as Head Coach on “permanent basis.”
Signed up former Orlando Pirates winger Ronaldo Maarman on a free transfer.
Head Coach: Morgan Mammila
Home ground: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Nickname: Chilli Boys

KAIZER CHIEFS
Finished in a disappointing 5th place under former Head Coach Arthur Zwane last season. New Head Coach is former national team handler Molefi Ntseki who is expected to bring back the glory days, but it won’t be an easy task. Team must pull up their socks to justify huge investments.
New signees include Pule Mmodi from Golden Arrows on a free transfer and Tebogo Potsane
Head Coach: Molefi Ntseki
Home ground: FNB Soccer City
Nickname: Amakhosi

LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS
Club announced new major sponsor, three-year deal with betting company, 10bet. Amongst new signings are Bradley Cross, midfield sensation, Olwethu Ncube from Hungry Lions. Ugandan goalkeeper, Ismael Watenga comes on board on a season long loan deal from Sundowns.
Co-Coaches: Vusi Vilakazi and Mabhuti Khenyeza
Home ground: Mpumalanga Stadium
Nickname: Aba’fana Besthende

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Last season was another roller-coaster ride for the Brazilians as they won their seventh PSL crown on the spin, and reached the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.
New signings this season include South Africa international midfielder, Bathusi Aubaas from TS Galaxy, and midfielder Thapelo Maseko, snapped from SuperSport for a massive R15Million.
Head Coach: Rhulani Mokwena
Home ground: Loftus Versfeld
Nickname: Brazilians

MOROKA SWALLOWS
Snapped up high profile coach, Steve Khompela and midfielder Andile Jali from Sundowns. Also Dumisani Zuma from AmaZulu.
Signed partnership with local sportswear brand Drip Sportif
Head Coach: Steve Khompela
Home ground: Dobsonville Stadium
Nickname: Dube Birds

ORLANDO PIRATES
Team enjoyed a fairly successful season in 2022-2023, finishing as Premier League runners-up and winning the Mtn8 and Nedbank cups.
Quality signings for new season includes Katlego Otladisa from Maruma Gallants, Patrick Maswanganyi (SuperSport United) goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi from TS Galaxy, and Sephelo Baloni from Cape Town All Stars.
Head Coach: Jose Riveiro (Spanish)
Home ground: Orlando Stadium
Nickname: Buccaneers 

POLOKWANE CITY
Rise and Shine returned to Premiership football after winning Motsepe Foundation League on the final day of the season. Key player is former Orlando Pirates midfielder, Mpho Makola.
Head Coach: Duncan Lechesa
Home ground: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Nickname: Rise and Shine

RICHARDS BAY
Finished 13th last season (their first in the Premiership).
Signed defender Abdi Hassan Banda from Chippa United, and goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane from Black Leopards.
Head Coach: Kaitano Tembo (Zimbabwean)
Home ground: King Zwelithini Stadium
Nickname: Natal Rich Boyz

ROYAL AM
Trying to pick up the pieces after FIFA imposed a transfer ban on the KZN outfit in June because they failed to pay R12Million owed to former striker, Samir Nurkovic, The club subsequently appealed to CAS to have ban overturned to no avail. The team, however, did well in preseason, beating local rivals Amazulu 1-0 in the final of the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup.
Head Coach: John Maduka
Home ground: Harry Gwala Stadium
Nickname: 

SEKHUKUNE UNITED
Babina Noko signed up midfielder Thabang Mnyembane from ABC Motsepe League side Dondol Stars, and changed their technical sponsor from Kappa to Macron. Attack built around former Jomo Cosmos hit man, Chibuike Ohizu.
Head Coach: Macdonald Makhubedu
Home ground: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Nickname: Babina Noko

STELLENBOSCH
Team signed up Ivorian winger, Oura Anicet following the exit of Argentine Junior Mendieta. Stellies also acquired former Kaizer Chiefs winger, Kgaogelo Sekgota.
Team to be built around influential midfield warhorse, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, as Stellies eye an improvement on their sixth place finish last season.
Head Coach: Steve Barker
Home ground: Danie Craven Stadium
Nickname: Stellies

SUPERSPORT UNITED
Unsuccessful stints at Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa United seem to have galvanized Head Coach Gavin Hunt as he finished last season on a high, claiming an impressive third position with only six points behind runners-up Orlando Pirates. Hunt will be looking to improve on that performance this term.  A busy season awaits as the club engages in CAF Confederation Cup as well. There will be added goal-scoring options as veteran striker Bradley Grobler is joined by Etiosa Ighodaro.
Other signings are Grant Magerman and Siphesihle Ndlovu from Sundowns
Head Coach: Gavin Hunt
Home ground: Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
Nickname: Matsantsantsa a Pitori

TS GALAXY
The Rockets finished 10th last season. Current signings include former SuperSport United shit man, Thamsanqa Gabuza, also Mpho Mvelase and Thato Khiba – both from relegated Marumo Gallants.
Head Coach: Sead Ramovic (German)
Home ground: Mbombela Stadium
Nickname: The Rockets