The Betway Premiership season resumes next week, and three teams—Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Kaizer Chiefs—are starting with completely different expectations, turning the debut weekend into the start of three separate title races rather than a single championship battle.
Orlando Pirates: Defending the Throne
For Orlando Pirates, the task is not to catch up to the champions, but to become the team everyone wants to beat. The Buccaneers will begin defending their title against the recently promoted Milford FC at Orlando Stadium. They must prove that last season's historic success was the beginning of a new era, not a one-off achievement.
Pirates won the league title after a 14-year wait last season, completing a domestic treble under the guidance of Abdelsalam Waddu. However, this success has brought a new kind of pressure: they now need to maintain a high level while participating in multiple tournaments.
Multi-Front Schedule and Preparation
In addition to defending the title in the Premiership, Pirates must go through competitions like MTN8, the Carling Knockout Cup, the Nedbank Cup, and the CAF Champions League. This demands a deep squad, stability, and the ability to handle the workload in both domestic and continental football. Their Spanish pre-season camp highlighted the importance of building a squad capable of enduring a demanding schedule, where Waddu used the tour to assess options and develop tactical flexibility.
Mamelodi Sundowns: Return to the Top
For Mamelodi Sundowns, the new season offers an opportunity to restore their dominant position in South African football. The Brazilians will kick off their campaign at home against Marumo Gallants, and expectations are immediately focused on returning to a winning style after losing the league lead last season.
Despite continental success and immense squad depth, Sundowns must prove something. For years, they have been the benchmark of South African football, dominating domestically and collecting trophies at an incredible rate. Now, their task is to answer the challenges.
Kaizer Chiefs: The Fight for Recognition
Kaizer Chiefs is a club carrying perhaps the biggest expectations. The Glamour Boys will start their journey in an away match against the recently promoted Kruger United, which will immediately test whether their recent restructuring can yield results. Their return to MTN8 and participation in the CAF Confederation Cup are signs of progress, but the demand from Naturena fans remains clear: Chiefs must fight for major honors.
Fernando da Cruz and his technical team have been tasked with closing the gap on Pirates and Sundowns, with new signings expected to provide the necessary level for competition. This season raises an interesting question: has the balance of power shifted? Sundowns were the undisputed force for years, but Pirates' pursuit of a treble has changed the conversation, and Chiefs are trying to get back into the title race.
First Round of Matches
The first weeks may provide early answers. For Pirates, it is defending their throne; for Sundowns, restoring it; and for Chiefs, proving they still belong in this discussion. Matches are scheduled for Saturday: Orlando Pirates versus Milford, Stellenbosch versus AmaZulu, Golden Arrows versus Chippa United, Sekhukhune United versus Durban City, and Mamelodi Sundowns versus Marumo Gallants, as well as Kruger United versus Kaizer Chiefs. On Sunday, there will be games between Richards Bay versus Polokwane City and Siwelele versus TS Galaxy.