Manqoba Mngqithi gives blunt assessment of title race | OneFootball

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Mngqithi weighs in on heated race for supremacy

Photo: Golden Arrows @ Facebook

Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has given a blunt assessment of the Betway Premiership title race, with the business end of the season fast approaching.

Orlando Pirates currently sit at the summit of the table, level on 44 points with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who are in second place after 19 league outings for both teams.

When pressed for thoughts on the race for supremacy, Mngqithi backed his former club to clinch a ninth consecutive league title, citing their immense squad depth.

“I would not confirm that [they will win it], but what I will say is I've always believed Sundowns has got what it takes to win the league and I've always said it, and I'm not mincing my words there because even if you look at the players that were not even on the bench [on Wednesday] - that team has got what it takes to win the league,” said the Arrows boss.

"I like the competition that Pirates is bringing, I like the competition that every other team is brining, but the reality is this team has got depth, and not just depth. I can take one or two big teams and say if player A and player B would not be in the team - the team would not be the same.

"But at Sundowns if Teboho [Mokoena] is not there Marcelo [Allende] is there, Jayden Adams is there, [Bathusi] Aubaas is there, it's the same, [Sphelele] Mkhulise is there, and for me Mkhulise should be playing regularly as well.

"So, there's so much depth in every position and based on that, even when the season becomes stressful [they can manage], but they've got enough quality for the PSL. I don't think there's any issue there, nobody should even think that there's serious contention - for me it's a no brainer.

Meanwhile, having suffered a league defeat to Sundowns in the capital on Wednesday, Arrows return to action with a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal clash against provincial rivals Durban City on Sunday.