Mamelodi Sundowns captain Thabo Nthethe is confident that his side can defend and retain their Absa Premierships title during the season ahead.

The Brazilians are currently still involved in the Caf Champions League after advancing to the next round as Group B following a 1-0 victory over Egyptian giants Zamalek, reports Goal.com.

Nthethe feels that Sundowns will have a tough time trying to defend their title as are getting stronger each year.

‘The past five years, the way I have seen how competitive our league is, the standard goes up and the competition gets tougher,’ Nthethe said.

‘I am quite sure that teams now know how Sundowns play, and they will make sure they monitor us in order to try and stop us from winning it again.

‘The league is getting tougher and there’s nothing wrong with that because we are playing competitive sport, but it’s becoming more difficult for us to win so that’s why we have to think ahead.’

The 31-year-old defender feels both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have been studying them, but insists that Pitso Mosimane and his Sundowns technical team will give them the edge over their rivals.

The defender believes the Soweto giants have been studying them but he insists that the Brazilians are one step ahead of them.

‘I am sure they won’t make things any easier for us. They are aware of how we play because if you compete with someone you have to study them,’ he added.

‘That’s why they have signed the players that they have. They want to make sure their teams are strong.

‘We know that but at Downs, we think ahead. The coaches that we have make sure that we are ahead. It becomes easier ahead of the season.’