Can Chiefs & Pirates punish Sundowns whose ‘wheels are coming off?’ – ‘They’re crippling Downs’

Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have been challenged to capitalise on the current Mamelodi Sundowns struggles.

The defending Premier Soccer League champions have not started the season as fans are accustomed to. They have managed three wins and two draws from the five South African top-tier games played this season, which puts them third on the table behind joint leaders Sekhukhune United and Amakhosi, respectively.

Off the pitch, Khuliso Mudau and Lucas Ribeiro were pushing for an exit; the duo has been key for Masandawana. While the former's case has been solved, the South American is still keen on getting a new challenge elsewhere.

Former club's defender Benson Mhlongo feels the Soweto giants can capitalise on the situation and hit Sundowns before they regroup. he, however, insists it might not happen this season as the Brazilians hope to win their ninth Premier Soccer League crown in a row.

I think football now is played off the field

“The wheels are coming off. Now everyone can compete with Sundowns. I think that’s what is happening. I think football now is played off the field, and people are realising that the only way to beat Sundowns is to cripple them – to find offers for those good players and ignite them to want to leave. So, there’s something happening behind the scenes, I think,” he told iDiski Times.

“Still, I think it’s going to take another two seasons to beat them because these other big teams, [Kaizer] Chiefs and [Orlando] Pirates, instead of keeping the squad that’s been competing with Sundowns, they are building again.

“They are giving Sundowns a chance, and they are missing the opportunity. And then these ones [Sundowns] will rebuild quicker,” Mhlongo concluded.

It is interesting to see how coach Miguel Cardoso will work on improving his team to ensure no more points are dropped in PSL.