Mamelodi Sundowns are seven points away from a historic Premiership eighth title

As the Betway Premiership nears the end of the season, Mamelodi Sundowns are on the verge of clinching an unprecedented eighth consecutive title.

With just five matches remaining, Sundowns need seven points to secure the championship. The stakes could not be higher as they chase success amid fierce competition from second-placed Orlando Pirates.

Currently, Sundowns boast a superior goal difference to Pirates. This means that even a return of six points could seal the title for Miguel Cardoso’s side — potentially as early as this Sunday.

The pressure is on Pirates to maintain form as they prepare for a crucial encounter against Lamontville Golden Arrows on Tuesday. Any dropped points could pave the way for Sundowns to claim the title, especially as they host Chippa United on Wednesday and Stellenbosch on Sunday, with both fixtures set to take place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Both title contenders — Sundowns and Pirates — face off-field distractions that could impact their focus. Pirates are gearing up for a Nedbank Cup final against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in Durban on Saturday. This monumental clash may stretch their concentration as they also look to sustain their Premiership title challenge.

Sundowns are not without their own distractions, with the looming CAF Champions League final against Egypt’s Pyramids FC scheduled at the end of May. With three league fixtures to play before that crucial encounter, the challenge for Sundowns’ coaching staff will be to keep the players mentally sharp and physically prepared for the back-to-back games that could define their season.

One of the key concerns for Sundowns is the fitness of prolific striker Peter Shalulile, who was conspicuously absent from the squad that played in Cape Town on Saturday evening. Coach Miguel Cardoso explained that the club had opted to rest Shalulile to aid his full recovery.

“When we went to Cairo (for the Al Ahly game), Peter had a small injury that wouldn’t take long to heal and allow him to become a part of us again for the long term,” said Cardoso.

“That condition needs a little bit of time, and we decided to prioritise his full recovery rather than bring him on for 20, 15, or 10 minutes and risk his health. We will let him recover, and when he is 100% fine, he will be with us — and that will be pretty soon.”

In the background of this title race, the league has undergone a significant shift following the official expulsion of Royal AM from the PSL. The decision has led to the expunging of points from the standings, effectively reducing the season to a 28-match campaign rather than the usual 30.

This change adds another layer of complexity to the title race, as clubs adjust to a new points structure that could significantly impact the final standings — particularly for those aiming to secure places in the lucrative Top 8 competition.