In South African football, Mamelodi Sundowns have long been the team to beat.

Their dominance in the Betway Premiership feels almost unshakable.

But Kaizer Chiefs, along with other top clubs, have a vital role to play if the Sundowns dynasty is ever going to be challenged.

Jose Riveiro Shares His Thoughts on Catching Sundowns

Jose Riveiro, who recently guided Orlando Pirates to a third consecutive second-place finish behind Sundowns, was candid about the uphill battle it is to dethrone the league leaders.

Speaking to the media, the Spaniard emphasized that it won’t happen overnight.

“Something is changing, step by step,” Riveiro explained, “but it’s not something you’re going to fix in six, 10, or 20 months.

It takes time.” His words highlight the long-term effort required to close the gap with such a powerhouse.

The Reality of Facing a ‘Points Machine’

Riveiro was clear about how strong Sundowns are. “They are a strong side.

Everybody knows everything is set up for them to dominate the league from the first game until the last one,” he said.

He described Sundowns as a relentless force that keeps the pressure on every matchday, saying, “They force you to keep up the rhythm in terms of points. It’s so difficult to handle and resist.”

The coach also pointed out how the bar for winning the league has been raised.

“They have pushed the points needed to become champions to around 70. It used to be 60. That’s not easy,” he added.

Kaizer Chiefs’ Role and What’s Next

Riveiro implied that the burden of breaking this cycle doesn’t fall solely on Orlando Pirates.

Clubs like Kaizer Chiefs need to step up and challenge Sundowns if the league is to see a new champion.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how Chiefs and other contenders respond to this challenge.