Last season Mamelodi Sundowns won the DStv Premiership title with seven games to spare and their rivals had to fight for second position which was eventually clinched by Orlando Pirates.
This earned Bucs a spot in the CAF Champions League and they also went on to win the cup double as they took home the MTN8 as well as the Nedbank Cup trophies.
READ: Chiefs Star Reveals Big European Offer
With the new season just over a month to go, a former Pirates winger believes the Buccaneers are ready to challenge the Brazilians pound for pound next season.
Zimbabwean-born Innocent Chikoya spoke to Soccer Laduma in a one-on-one interview, discussing how Pirates can close the gap on Sundowns, and the signings required to do so.
"Sundowns can be challenged. Pirates can challenge Sundowns at any given time," Chikoya told Soccer Laduma.
"They will be challenging for the league title as well as to defend the trophies they won last season. If you look at the way they won the two trophies and finished second in the league they were really good.
"If they can just continue from where they left off then I don't see a reason why they can't challenge Sundowns for the PSL title.
"It's the only team I see coming close to Sundowns. And with coach Steve Komphela leaving the team then I don't think it will be the same Sundowns next season," he said.
Chikoya added that looking at the signings for Pirates so far, it shows that they are serious going into next season where they will play in the CAF Champions League.
READ: Player's Market Value: Patrick Maswanganyi
"Looking at the four signings so far it shows Pirates have gone back to their roots. This is how they used to sign players.
"Very good players but relatively unknown. Not signings from the other big teams, (not) with well known players. These are the players who will want to make a name for themselves and prove that they are Pirates material.
"Also not changing the technical team will help Pirates. If they can have the same technical team for next season then it will be tough for Sundowns," Chikoya concluded.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
