The Betway Premiership title race is heating up, and Episode 1 of State of the Title Race set the tone perfectly. Hosted by SuperSport presenter Fiso Mazibuko, with former stars Teko Modise and Sibusiso Vilakazi at the table, the discussion captured the pulse of South African football’s fiercest battle.
For Modise, the conversation begins and ends with Mamelodi Sundowns. Their ability to dictate the tempo through midfield dominance, coupled with unrivalled squad depth, makes them the team everyone else is chasing. Sundowns don’t just win — they control, suffocate, and eventually overwhelm.
Vilakazi, meanwhile, sees Orlando Pirates as the side most capable of unsettling the champions. Their sharpness in front of goal and knack for grinding out results has kept them firmly in the race. Pirates bring flair, but more importantly, they’ve added resilience — the kind of steel that turns contenders into champions.
And then there’s Kaizer Chiefs. A team in transition, caught between flashes of brilliance and frustrating inconsistency. Chiefs remain unpredictable: capable of dazzling moments, but too often unable to sustain momentum. For them, the title race is less about chasing Sundowns and Pirates, and more about rediscovering their identity.
THE ROAD AHEAD
The verdict from the panel is clear. Sundowns are favourites, their consistency too strong to ignore. Pirates are the most credible challengers, provided they keep their form intact. Chiefs, though, need stability and big performances from their key men if they’re to stay relevant in the conversation.