Shaun Bartlett: Orlando Pirates must match Mamelodi Sundowns’ squad depth to clinch Premiership title
Shaun Bartlett said Orlando Pirates must match Mamelodi Sundowns’ squad depth to secure the Betway Premiership title, despite currently leading the table. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL
Although Orlando Pirates currently top the Betway Premiership table, Mamelodi Sundowns are still favourites to win the title given their dominance of SA football over the last decade.
Sundowns have won the last eight league titles on offer, but currently trail Pirates by two points and have played a game more heading into the festive break.
In fact, Pirates have won nine of their 12 matches - two more than their closest chasers, Sundowns and Sekhukhune United.
All the signs point to Pirates being the favourites to win the title, but the league is a marathon, not a sprint, former Bafana Bafana player Shaun Bartlett explains.
Bartlett Discusses Pirates’ Consistency, Sundowns’ Squad Depth, and Chiefs’ Inconsistency
“Well, they’ve [Pirates] probably been the more consistent team in the league as far as the performances and results,” Bartlett told IOL in an exclusive interview.
“Obviously disappointing to see them not qualify for the group stage of the CAF Champions League.
“Sundowns have an unbelievable squad; not just 11 players, they have 30 to 40 players that can go at any time and perform, so I think that is the biggest challenge for Orlando Pirates to either match or do better than those players at Sundowns.”
Bartlett also spoke about Kaizer Chiefs, saying it’s frustrating supporting the club.
“Yeah, you know when I think about Kaizer Chiefs, it’s only one word that comes to mind. Every time I speak about them, it’s inconsistency,” Bartlett said.“They give you that little bit of hope of winning two games, and then suddenly they go a bit off track and they struggle for form again. So I think that that is the biggest challenge they have at this moment in time.”