Jerry Sikhosana: Pirates and Sundowns gave their all

The 2025/26 Betway Premiership title has been a lot more closely contested than in previous seasons when Sundowns waltzed their way to gold with several matches to spare. 

Having played their final match of the season already, the Brazilians do not have their fate in their own hands anymore and will need Pirates to drop points in both of their two remaining games to defend their crown. 

Sikhosana warned that the Buccaneers must not be quick to celebrate.

"Both teams have given everything they have and it's also exciting to see that until the last hurdle we don't know who is going to win it because anything can happen.

"People are saying Pirates are going to walk away with it but they must remember that anything is possible. 

"Pirates have the upper hand with the two games in hand and the goal difference, but let's see what's going to happen."

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In an anomaly this season, the final matches of the two direct title rivals will not be played on the same day and at the same time, and Sikhosana does not think this puts any dampener or controversy on the end of the season. 

He says it’s understandable that Sundowns have bigger fish to fry with the upcoming CAF Champions League final against AS Far Rabat of Morocco.

Both Pirates and Sundowns have dropped crucial points in the run-in for the title, none bigger than both drawing with the much-improved Kaizer Chiefs. 

Legs of Thunder, as Sikhosana was known during his playing days, believes Amakhosi were not really the king makers in this race but urged them to remain consistent with those performances to compete for trophies with the top two next season.

"Both games that Chiefs played against these two teams ended in draws, so for me, nobody benefited and nobody lost between the two teams gunning for the league. I think Chiefs did well to make a mark and to say we can compete with the best, but that needs to be more consistent. The gap between second and Chiefs in third is a lot of points, so they really need to step up next season."