Downs, Bucs may struggle in League

Absa Premiership fortunes favour Wits

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane believes the participation of his team and Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League favours Bidvest Wits whom he feels will be the top contenders to win the Absa Premiership.

Absa Premiership heavyweights Sundowns and Pirates will start their participation in the CAF tournament at the end of the month.

The Brazilians have been drawn in the preliminary round against Leones Vegatarianos from Equatorial Guinea while Bucs take on Light Stars of Seychelles at the end of November.

On the other hand, former league champions Wits have no continental fixture this season.

“I think Wits are favourites for the league because they didn’t play the MTN8 and are not playing Champions League,” Mosimane said.

“They have a good coach in Gavin Hunt and we must look out for them.”

Mosimane said it will be interesting to see how Pirates cope with having to balance the CAF and the domestic league.

“Come January and February, we add the 10 games in CAF to get to the group stages plus having to fight for the league,” Mosimane said.

“That’s where the difference will be. It’s a marathon and we know how to run this race.”

Meanwhile, Free State Stars and Kaizer Chiefs will be representing SA in the Confederation Cup.

Ea Lla Koto will face Mukura Victory Sports of Rwanda and Chiefs will be up against Zinamoto (Zanzibar).

Stars coach Luc Eymael expects to be instructed by his club’s board not to take the tournament seriously.

“I know that I will be told to focus on the league due to what happened to other teams who have struggled in the league because of the CAF matches,” Eymael said.