Reacting to a poll run by KickOff, Orlando Pirates legend Thabo Mngomeni has backed rivals Mamelodi Sundowns to be crowned champions again this season.
There is a huge debate going around on who will be the 2024/25 champions this season, with the majority saying that Manqoba Mngqithi's side will be the bridesmaids, at best, this time around.
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KickOff runs a poll on our website, posted every Monday morning, and which can be found on the homepage throughout the week.
In the latest poll where we asked whether there would be a new league champion this season, 40% of those who participated believe that indeed will be the case, while 28% backed the Brazilians to successfully defend their title.
The remaining 32% say everything will be much clearer after the first few games.
It is worth noting that at the time of writing, at 18:00 on Friday, a total of 465 readers had taken part in the poll.
"A new champion? This season? Nah, I'm still saying Sundowns will still be crowned champions even this season," Mngomeni tells this website.
"So far, they are the only consistent team in South Africa. They are too balanced, and they have depth. Every time they make a substitution, they replace a player with another one who's got the same qualities.
"The other teams might start well, but as games go on, injuries to their best players might let them down. That's not the case with Sundowns, as their squad is well-balanced. That's what gives Sundowns the edge," the 2001 CAF Goal of the Year winner added.
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Mngomeni believes the reason people are saying the Premiership will have a new champion is because of the way The Brazilians have started the season.
"I don't see Sundowns getting bad results for the whole season. That's my opinion, it's the way I see things.
"As long as the other teams don't spend as Sundowns do, they will struggle to dethrone them. It's not about who has a lot of money, it's about how to use it.
"You need to have a balanced squad to win the championship. What you have on the bench must match what you have on the pitch, and at the moment, it's only Sundowns who have that privilege."
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