How Mamelodi Sundowns Can Overtake Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership Standings

• Mamelodi Sundowns are not giving up the Betway Premiership title easily to Orlando Pirates this season, as they are still on course to win it
• The Tshwane outfit are looking forward to winning their ninth successive league titles this campaign, but will need to overcome Pirates' dominance
• A sports journalist has explained to Briefly News how Miguel Cardoso and his boys can overtake Abdeslam Ouaddou's side in the league standings

Mamelodi Sundowns are finding it difficult in their quest to defend their Betway Premiership title for the ninth consecutive season, as Orlando Pirates currently sit at the top of the league.

The Brazilians trail the Sea Robbers by two points in the league standings, with the Soweto giants still having one outstanding match.

Aside from that, the Soweto giants have dominated all the domestic competitions this season, winning both the MTN8 title and the Carling Knockout Cup this campaign.

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The only two local competitions left for Sundowns to win are the Betway Premiership and the Nedbank Cup. The Nedbank Cup is also a tournament that the Buccaneers dominated under Jose Riveiro, but Kaizer Chiefs pipped them to the title last season under Nasreddine Nabi, after beating them in the final.

What Sundowns must do to overtake Pirates

Sports journalist Themba Modise has shared in an exclusive chat with Briefly News on how Sundowns can overtake Orlando Pirates in the league standings as the second half of the season resumes this week.

"Mamelodi Sundowns need to win all their matches from now on, and the main one against Orlando Pirates in the second leg, they need to secure all three points if they want to retain the title," he said.

"The major problem of Sundowns this season is dropping valuable points against weaker sides, especially playing out draws. Pirates have lost more games, but the Brazilians have drawn five matches compared to the Bucs' one.

"Playing out a draw in five matches means you've dropped 10 valuable points; they must work on that in the second half of the season."

Modise mentioned what has been Sundowns' major problem in the Betway Premiership, which contributed to their struggle in the first half of the season.

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"What Mamelodi Sundowns have struggled to do properly this season is scoring a lot of goals, and Iqraam Rayners struggling in front of goal this season, has contributed majorly to their poor performance against teams in the Betway Premiership," he added.

"Lucas Ribeiro's departure and not being replaced quickly showed in the game, as the Brazilian star's goals last season helped them in all competitions.

"Hopefully, the arrival of Brayan Leon and Monnapule Saleng would help them in that aspect as they need to go on a compulsory unbeaten run in the league if they want to retain the title."

What's next for Sundowns?

Sundowns will kick off the second half of the season with a game against Monnapule Saleng's former side, Orbit College, on Monday, January 19, 2026.

The Brazilians are playing earlier than others because of their CAF Champions League home fixture against Sudanese giants Al Hilal on Friday, 23 January 2026.

Sundowns hit with major setback

Briefly News also reported that Sundowns have been hit with a major setback ahead of their match against Orbit College in the Betway Premiership.

The Brazilians would be without one of their key players when they face the newly promoted side in their second half of the season league opener.

Source: Briefly News