Arthur Zwane ‘predicts doom’ for Mamelodi Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns have alarmingly bossed the elite league of South Africa, winning eight titles on the bounce.

This 2025-2026 season looks no different with a 1-1 draw against Chippa United on the opening day followed by a routine 2-0 victory over AmaZulu FC in a midweek Betway Premiership game.

Despite that near-perfect start, collecting four out of a possible six points, AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane has predicted doom for Sundowns.

The Kaizer Chiefs legend says he anticipates Sundowns to struggle at some point in the Betway Premiership due to fatigue.

“It’s going to be tough because Sundowns were playing [at] the Club World Cup, and at some point, their players will get tired–I’m talking from the players’ perspective because I played and I know,” the former winger told his club’s media.

“If you can play football for four years with the same pace, demands, travelling and all that—it’s unlike in Europe, when they travel, its two, three of four hours, but for Sundowns, and I know they can charter [flights], but you have to travel for 7-8 hours sometimes.”

Therefore, Zwane has played the ball back into the court of the rest of the Betway Premiership teams, including his.

He has challenged them to be ready to seize the moment when the holders start huffing and puffing—dropping points.

“So, we just have to capitalise on that, but once again, they are a top team, there’s no doubt about it. It’s good for South African football, and we have to gauge ourselves and get closer, so we learned a thing or two today,” the coach added.

The Pretoria-based giants are chasing a ninth consecutive league title. They also have unfinished business with other competitions such as the MTN8 and the CAF Champions League.

Miguel Cardoso’s team has won the continental league silverware only once in 2016 when Pitso Mosimane was in charge.

Last season, they lost in the final to Pyramids FC before switching attention to the FIFA Club World Cup.

Despite such a crammed diary, Sundowns have always coped, oftentimes relying on the depth in the squad.

Could the mass exodus of players such Thembinkosi Lorch and Neo Maema, perhaps deplete that depth for the South African kings?

For now, it is a risky policy ruling out Sundowns’ title defence. Big teams always find a way.