Everything evolves around Mamelodi Sundowns - Grant Kekana

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana says the Brazilians remain the benchmark in South African football despite surrendering the Betway Premiership title to Orlando Pirates last season.

The Tshwane giants saw their run of eight consecutive league titles come to an end, settling for a runners-up spot for the first time since the 2016/17 campaign where the now-defunct Bidvest Wits were crowned champions.

Sundowns lost the championship with one point shy of Pirates, who accumulated 69 points and won the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout Cup in the process, completing a domestic treble in Abdeslam Ouaddou's first season in charge.

While many are of the belief the African champions are now part of the chasing pack in the Betway Premiership, Kekana defiantly claims Sundowns remain the point of reference ahead of title holders Pirates.

“They are still chasing us because everything evolves around Mamelodi Sundowns, but it just shows the great work that we've been doing throughout the years,” said the Downs stalwart.

"So, it's obviously a different time now that we're not defending champions, but we're still in the mix. I think it just takes a bit of pressure off us, that's all it does but we know that we're chasing the league also this season.

With Sundowns' defence proving shaky in the early stages of the season, the 33-year-old centre-half says they are not ringing alarm bells, with the 2026/27 campaign gathering steam.

“We obviously don't like conceding as defenders and set-pieces should be something that we enjoy defending. We've just been unfortunate this season, maybe a lapse in concentration here and there,” Kekana added.

"But it's obviously something that we're still working on now and we obviously want to get better, but I don't think it's something that's making us panic in anyway, it's just about us improving in how we deal with the set-pieces.

Sundowns, meanwhile, swing back to action with the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final clash against Golden Arrows at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Orlando Pirates