Bartlett passes verdict on Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Sundowns’ title chances

Orlando Pirates may be sitting at the top of the Betway Premiership table, but Mamelodi Sundowns remain the bookmakers’ favourites to lift the trophy, thanks to their unrivalled dominance of South African football over the past decade.

Sundowns, who have won the last eight league titles in succession, trail Pirates by two points and have played one game more heading into the festive break. Pirates, meanwhile, have collected nine wins from their 12 fixtures, two more than both Sundowns and Sekhukhune United.

Despite Pirates’ strong start, former Bafana Bafana striker Shaun Bartlett has urged caution, reminding fans that the league is “a marathon, not a sprint.”

Pirates’ Consistency, Sundowns’ Depth and Chiefs’ Struggles

Speaking to IOL in an exclusive interview, Bartlett praised Pirates’ consistency:

“They’ve probably been the more consistent team in terms of performances and results,” he said.

However, he noted the disappointment of their failure to reach the CAF Champions League group stage.

Bartlett pointed to Sundowns’ extraordinary squad depth as the biggest challenge for Pirates:

“Sundowns don’t just have 11 players, they’ve got 30 to 40 who can step in and perform at any time. Matching or surpassing that quality is the real test for Pirates.”

Turning to Kaizer Chiefs, Bartlett was blunt about their shortcomings:

“When I think about Chiefs, one word comes to mind, inconsistency. They give you hope with two wins, then lose form again. That’s their biggest challenge right now.”