Are Orlando Pirates about to end Mamelodi Sundowns' PSL dominance? Ex-Bucs star believes Soweto giants are catching up with Masandawana - 'They’ve even gotten closer'

Mamelodi Sundowns' dominance in the Premier Soccer League could be facing an imminent end because Orlando Pirates are catching up, according to ex-Bucs star Daine Klate.

The retired winger pointed out that Pirates have remained a good team even though they changed coaches, and this is a clear sign they are closing in on Masandawana.

Bucs have always given Sundowns a tough run in the league, but have ended up finishing as runners-up in the last three campaigns.

“They've even gotten closer to [Mamelodi] Sundowns in the league, and the signs are promising that they are catching up," Klate told iDiski Times.

"Even though they’ve changed coaches, they remain a very good team. Yes, when the new coach came in, there was a bit of what I want to call a period of uncertainty as the players were getting used to him," he added.

“That takes time, but things have been positive for them so far, because the coach appears very articulate and specific in what he wants out of the team."

"He seems very organised and is close to coach [Jose] Riveiro [his predecessor] – it’s like Pirates got a similar coach to the previous one in that they both appear to have the same ideas on modern tactics and how the game moves.”

Pirates will be attempting to defend their MTN8 title on Saturday, and Klate has warned that although Stellenbosch are viewed as underdogs, they can upset their opponents.

“Both teams can win it, and of course, Stellies can cause an upset. But they are the underdogs, and I am in no doubt that just about everyone will back Pirates to win, and I agree, given just how good a team they are," he added.

We are in for an interesting game, though, because on their day, Stellenbosch can beat anyone.”

 “We've all seen how Pirates have been the dominating team in cup competitions in recent seasons, and they have really come good in the past four/five years."

Should Pirates defend the trophy again, they will become the first side to win the MTN8 four straight times.

Pirates are meeting their PSL rivals once again in the final after last season, when they managed to win it for the third time, controversially, though, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

In the PSL, the Soweto giants look like a rejuvenated side after a faulty start that saw them lose two straight opening games.

Pirates will face Stellies at Mbombela Stadium as head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou hopes to win his first trophy with Bucs.