Parker: Why CAF Fatigue Is Costing Sundowns The Title Race

TS Galaxy coach Bernard Parker believes Mamelodi Sundowns’ recent struggles in the league are a result of CAF Champions League fatigue, while Orlando Pirates have benefited from being fresher.

Galaxy did Pirates a huge favour after stunning the defending champions 3-2 at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday.

It was the second time Galaxy had beaten Sundowns this season, having already knocked them out in the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup before eventually losing to Durban City FC in the final.

When asked who he believes will win the title, Parker said:

“It’s a tough one to call because, at this stage of the season, everyone is fighting for something.

“Some teams are fighting against relegation, others are fighting for a top-eight finish, while Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are battling for the title. I’ve been in this situation before as a player, and I know the kind of pressure players experience.

“For me, it’s about making sure the players understand the moment we are in, what we are facing, and what we need to do to achieve what we deserve.”

Sundowns have played 12 more matches than Orlando Pirates across all competitions in the 2025/26 season.

This is the first time since the 2017/18 season that a team has defeated Sundowns twice in a single domestic season (League/Cup).

Parker, who secured his first victory as a coach against Sundowns, continued: “But I think if Mamelodi Sundowns were not involved in the Champions League final, it would probably have been a different story. They may have been more relaxed and less tense than they were.

“After we knocked them out of the Nedbank Cup and then faced them again here, we automatically had a psychological advantage over them.

“During the match, we forced them into difficult areas, and you could see the tension. We created opportunities from that. On the other hand, Pirates have been able to maintain intensity because they are not competing on the continent.

“They are fresher and able to sustain their intensity week in and week out. They have had more time to recover between matches, while Sundowns have not had that luxury.”

Parker added that consistency is crucial in football and suggested Sundowns may have struggled to maintain momentum because of constant squad rotation.

“Both teams have strong squads. We can’t only say Sundowns have quality and the ability to rotate.

“In football, consistency is key. When you constantly make changes, it can disrupt momentum a little.

“At this stage, Pirates have simply been able to compete with greater freshness and consistency every week, while Sundowns have had to focus on finding the right balance through rotation week in and week out.”

Sundowns will now shift their focus to the first leg of the CAF Champions League final when they host AS FAR at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday.