Is it fair to expect Mamelodi Sundowns to win the MTN8 after just two weeks of pre-season training? Former Brazilians midfielder responds

While most PSL teams have returned to start preparations for the 2025/26 season, Mamelodi Sundowns are currently still on their holidays.

This was after they had a longer 2024/25 term due to taking part at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

They are expected to be back for pre-season training on July 21 and will play their first competitive game on August 3 when they face Richards Bay in the MTN8 quarter-finals.

With little time to prepare for the new season, former Sundowns midfielder Brent Carelse feels there is nothing wrong in still having high expectations for the Brazilians to win the top-eight competition.

"Yes, I think it would be fair [to expect Sundowns to win the MTN8] because obviously they are a top team in the country, everybody would expect them to do well in the MTN8," Carelse as per KickOff. 

"So, we'll have to see how they come back, what the energy looks like and things like that, but I definitely see them going past the first round and I'm sure they will get into the final and hopefully win it."

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso will be hoping the two weeks they have for pre-season will be enough to sharpen themselves for the new season.

Their PSL rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are in Europe for pre-season camps and it will be interesting to see if the pre-season delay caused by the Club World Cup affects Sundowns and the other teams in that tournament at the start of their seasons.

Having announced some departures, Sundowns are yet to confirm any new signings, but they are expected to do so in the next few days as they get ready to start training.

They begin preparations for the season with the Richards Bay MTN8 quarterfinal match in mind as their immediate assignment.