Mamelodi Sundowns boss lauds Orlando Pirates for strong title challenge

Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Thlopie Motsepe has expressed his excitement at the level of competitiveness in the PSL.

Motsepe is impressed by the strong title challenge that Sundowns is receiving from Orlando Pirates who have mounted strong resistance this year.

Unlike previous seasons, when Sundowns were running away with the title, it is different this time with Pirates leading the table on goal difference tied on 44 points with the Brazilians after 19 games.

Meanwhile, the gap between the top eight is also not so huge with third-placed Sekhukhune United on 31 points, Durban City in fourth with 32, AmaZulu FC in fifth on 31, Kaizer Chiefs fifth on 30 with Polokwane City in seventh on 28 points.

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Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe. Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns

“The league campaign is one of the most important cups that we strive for every season,” Motsepe said as per iDiski Times.

“And being defending champions, there’s an intense amount of pride that we draw from that, and it also makes sure that we go to every single game this season with the right type of determination and commitment to see it through.

“Talking of the league, I think it’s, it’s great that we have such a neck-and-neck title campaign. I think our competitors deserve a lot of credit. A lot of the teams actually this season deserve a lot of credit, because from number one all the way to number eight. It’s not such a steep sort of decline.

“You can see the competition, and they help us be better. When we went to the Champions League final last season, it was because our competitors, Orlando Pirates, were there with us. They were in the semifinals, and they also had a very strong campaign. So, I think we are in a competition, rivalry only makes it better for those who are watching the rivalry than competitors themselves.”

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Mamelodi Sundowns Sporting Director and Flemming Berg and chairman Tlhopie Motsepe. Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns

Motsepe says the increased competition has helped his team raise the bar but admits winning the CAF Champions League remains their biggest aim.

“The greatest rivalries in sports are usually between two iconic people who have reached these levels, and that’s what they’re doing with us right now,” he added.

“So, it’s incredibly exciting in terms of the Champions League, of course, that is still our holy grail. It’s what we always try to go for. Every season, we’re excited about how the team seems to have turned a corner and has clicked into another gear.”

Sundowns have had some struggles this season with some of their results and displays not impressive, increasing pressure on coach Miguel Cardoso.

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Mamelodi Sundowns players Denis Onyango, Themba Zwane and Ronwen Williams. Photo by Mamelodi Sundowns

However, they have since overcome their difficult spell, sealing passage into the Champions League quarter-final, and winning six in a row in the PSL to keep pace with Pirates in the title race and Motsepe has credited the senior players in the squad for leading the revival.

“A lot of players, in terms of senior players, have really pulled the team together and stood up and have done such an incredible job in terms of leadership and integrating other players. And then, of course, in terms of our coach and our technical leadership,” he further stated.

“There, you also have people who have been there before, been to the final, and as we get into these stages now, you start to see more trust in the group, a little bit more confidence. But with that confidence comes a determination and a quiet resilience that we’re going to start showing more and more.”