Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane has backed Free State Stars, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates ahead of their respective Caf campaigns which are set to start later this month.
The accomplished tactician believes that all three of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams involved in continental competitions can progress to the next round.
"I think Pirates will be in the group stages, the quality is good. I think Free State Stars has the quality to get to the group stages of the Confederation Cup, same as Kaizer Chiefs," Mosimane was quoted as saying by Vodacom Soccer.
Sundowns and Pirates will compete in the 2018/19 Caf Champions League, while Chiefs and Stars are set to take part in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Stars qualified for the continental tournament after winning the 2018 Nedbank Cup, while Chiefs finished third in the PSL last season behind runners-up Pirates and champions Sundowns.
Mosimane, who has guided Sundowns to the Champions League group stages on three occasions, feels that their local rivals are good enough to reach the last eight.
The former Caf Coach of the Year added that the taxing schedule on the continent may give fellow PSL title contenders Bidvest Wits an advantage in the race for this season's domestic crown.
"So, when we have those six games more in the group, and the four games that take you into the group, that's 10 games hey," Mosimane explained.
"There's niggling injuries, fatigue, transit at the airport. That's about 30 percent of the league. It will give Wits the league because it's not good for Sundowns, Pirates, Chiefs and Free State Stars. In January they will be the team to match," he concluded.
Wits, who beat Sundowns to the 2016/17 PSL title, are currently placed second on the league standings, three points behind leaders Pirates.
Meanwhile, the defending champions Sundowns are placed fourth - five points behind Pirates, but they have three games in hand.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)