The countdown is on to the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season and we assess the contenders for the title, writes SportsClub Editor Dylan Appolis.
Mamelodi Sundowns
Head Coach: Rulani Mokwena
Last Season: Winners
Mamelodi Sundowns will be aiming to further assert their dominance in domestic football after claiming their 16th league title last season, their sixth in a row.
The Brazilians are favourites to defend their trophy with a star-studded squad including an evergreen Themba Zwane, a goal-scoring machine in Peter Shalulile and the poster boy Cassius Mailula.
Sundowns are expected to keep the same team in the new season, with a few additions likely as they look to extending their legacy by lifting a seventh successive title.
Player to watch: Cassius Mailula
2022/23 Appearances: 31
Goals: 15
Assists: 4
Mailula broke into the first team when Sundowns needed him the most, at a time when Peter Shalulile was out injured.
The 21-year-old stepped up to the plate and made the most of his opportunity by scoring nine goals and grabbing three assists in 17 league appearances in Shalulile’s absence.
Did you know? Sundowns won the league with a massive 16-point margin in the past two seasons. That is a DStv Premiership record.
Orlando Pirates
Head Coach: José Riveiro
Last Season: Runners-up
Orlando Pirates looks like the most likely side to dethrone Sundowns, especially after their late resurgence in the league last season saw them finish as runners-up and secure their spot in the Champions League.
The Buccaneers will head into the new season with one thing on their mind, and that is to contest for the title. And their hunger will be even greater after clinching the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup trophies under the tutelage of Spanish coach José Riveiro.
Despite not being in the running in the past season, Pirates can learn and improve, though also distracted by the African Champions League.
Did you know? Pirates have not won the league since 2011/12. Their longest barren run as a club is 17 years (1977–1994).
Player to watch: Monnapule Saleng
2022/23 Appearances: 30
Goals: 15
Assists: 11
Saleng thrived under coach Riveiro in his first full season with Pirates after returning from a loan spell at Swallows FC.
The 25-year-old was in impressive form and will look to go a step higher after earning the DStv Premiership Player’s Player of the Season award and the MTN8 Last Man Standing prize in the previous campaign.
SuperSport United
Head Coach: Gavin Hunt
Last Season: Third place
SuperSport United have always kept their place in the top eight, but this time around bettered their previous feat of an eighth-place finish by securing a third in the 2022/23 season.
Matsatsantsa will head into the new campaign more optimistic and with the winning pedigree of coach Gavin Hunt, who has four league titles to his name.
They will also contend with continental football in the African Confederation Cup.
Did you know? SuperSport won three league titles in a row between 2007 and 2010. Their third-place finish last season is their joint best since then (with 2011/12).
Cape Town City
Head Coach: Eric Tinkler
Last Season: Fourth place
Cape Town City have proven a force to be reckoned with over the past few seasons, but battled a bit in the most recent campaign, ending fourth, their key issue being unable to close out victories after giving up 19 points from winning positions.
But under Eric Tinkler, the Citizens have staked their claim as title contenders and he will always have a plan to improve them, even if they do continually sell their top talent each transfer window.
Did you know? City finished runners-up to Sundowns in the 2021/22 season, albeit 16 points behind, but dropped to fourth in the last campaign.
Player to watch: Khanyisa Mayo
2022/23 Appearances: 35
Goals: 13
Assists: 2
Mayo finished the last DStv Premiership campaign as the joint top scorer with 12 goals, sharing the award with Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile.
The 24-year-old will surely be one to watch in the new season as he is hot property at the moment despite committing his future to City after his sterling performances this past season.
Kaizer Chiefs
Head Coach: Molefi Ntseki
Last Season: Fifth place
Kaizer Chiefs will hope to forget the 2022/23 season after another poor campaign in which they lost a club record 12 league matches.
Chiefs will most likely keep their faith in coach Arthur Zwane in the new season as they look to turn their fortunes around, but patience may wear very thin if they do not make a positive start.
With the likes of Edmilson Dove, Yusuf Maart, Keagan Dolly, Ashley Du Preez and Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana at their disposal, Chiefs have a strong enough squad to end their trophy, though it may not be in the league.
Did you know? Chiefs lost the league title in the final half hour of the 2019/20 season when they allowed an equaliser against Baroka FC.
Player to watch: Mduduzi Shabalala
2022/23 Appearances: 22
Goals: 2
Assists: 2
Mdu Shabalala was a shining light in Chiefs’ disappointing past campaign following his impressive debut season that saw him net two goals and grab two assists in 22 appearances across all competitions.
Being just 19 years old, Shabalala holds his own in an Amakhosi squad filled with quality players as he attempts to improve on his breakout season by surpassing his own feats from the previous campaign.
