Orlando Pirates legend Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi has explained how he thinks the 2025-26 PSL title race will pan out and which teams he feels will finish in the top three.
Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC have occupied respective top three positions in the last two seasons and heading into next term, Vilakazi believes the trio will be there again but in different positions.
The Pirates record goal scorer claims Sundowns are favourites to win the league for a ninth season straight but that it will only happen if coach Miguel Cardoso is replaced as he does not feel the Portuguese tactician is good enough to lead them to glory.
“Number three will remain the same, it's going to be Stellenbosch,” Vilakazi said on iDiski TV.
Why is ‘Tso’ not tipping Sundowns to retain title?
“Let’s check Steve Barker’s record for the past three seasons even if they take his players he is always up there. The other team that I think they do have potential but at the end of the day it will be up to them it’s Sekhukhune [United]. They have got the potential of ending in third.
“If [Miguel] Cardoso is still going to be the Sundowns coach, Sundowns will be number two with that squad. I have analysed Sundowns and when I look at how they play, there’s games where the coach will win you games and there’s games where players will win you games,” he further claimed.
Vilakazi says if Cardoso is in charge, Sundowns will not go far even with the talented squad they have, as the coach has some shortcomings, while he is backing his ex-club Pirates to profit.
“For Sundowns, it’s players who are winning games, when they lose is because the input of the coach was not good enough,” he added.
Vilakazi sidesteps Chiefs in top three prediction
“Pirates have got what it takes to win the league. They have shown last season that they can do it. I don’t want people to take this the wrong way. I'm just going to be brutally honest.
“I’m pushing Pirates, I’m putting pressure on them to revive our football. It’s not to say what Sundowns has been doing is not right because they have been winning. We just want that change. It tends to really bore us.”
Vilakazi’s assessment had no Kaizer Chiefs in it as he believes even Sekhukhune are capable of a top three finish while Amakhosi did not get a mention.
Chiefs are hoping for an improved season in 2025-26 after finishing a disappointing ninth last term when they struggled for consistency throughout the campaign.
