Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi: It's a no brainer that Sundowns will win the Premiership

The Brazilians edged Mngqithi's charges 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday with goals from Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners while also losing Jayden Adams to a 51st minute red card.

Junior Dion pulled a goal back from the penalty spot on 76 minutes but Sundowns held out for all three points.

The result left the eight-time successive league champions level on 44 points with leaders Orlando Pirates, after 19 games.

After watching his side struggle to compete with Miguel Cardoso's team, Mngqithi explained why he felt his former Sundowns team are the only serious title contenders.

"I will not confirm that [Sundowns will win every game from now on] but I have always said Sundowns have got what it takes to win the league, and I've always said it, and I'm not mincing my words there," he told iDiski Times.

"Even if you look at their players that were not on the bench, this team has got what it takes to win the league, I like the competition that Pirates is bringing, I like the competition that every other team is bringing, but the reality is; this team has got depth.

"And not just depth, I can maybe take one of two big teams [for an example] if player A or Player B is not in the team, it's not the same team, but at Sundowns, if Teboho is not there, Marcelo is there – Jayden Adams is there, [Bathusi] Aubaas is there, Mkhulise is there, and for me Mkhulise should be playing regularly as well.

"So there's so much depth in every position and based on that, even when the season becomes stressful, they have enough quality for the PSL, there's no issue there, nobody should even think, there's serious contention there, for me? I think it's a no brainer."

Arrows are 12th on the standings with 21 points from 19 games and next face Marumo Gallants at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday, 15 March.