PRETORIA – LEAGUE hopefuls Mamelodi Sundowns have seen their lead atop the Absa Premiership slashed to four points over the past few weeks following

an indifferent spell but star performer, Khama Billiat, retains hope the Pretoria outfit can still clinch the title.

As recent as early March, The Brazilians were odds-on favourites for a seventh title in the PSL era, with a 2-0 victory over city rivals Supersport United stretching their lead to ten points but second-placed Bidvest Wits made most of their game in hand and Downs’ shock 3-1 loss to troubled Bloemfontein Celtic to close the gap.

After FIFA week and Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions-enforced break, the log leaders (52 points) are back in league action on Wednesday with an away fixture at relegation-haunted Polokwane City.

Wits will be away to another relegation candidate, Jomo Cosmos, on the same evening.

Zimbabwean attacker Billiat, who scored in his country’s recent 4-0 victory over Swaziland in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, believes the coveted silverware will still land in Chloorkop at the end of the season.

“It is hard to predict because there are still more matches to play, but I’m confident that we will win the title,” he says with seven games left before the curtain comes down the Absa Premiership.

“The competition is still on because other teams want to win it (title), but we will keep pushing,” adds the former Ajax Cape Town front man.

Wits, who are under the guidance of multiple championship winner, Gavin Hunt, pose the biggest threat to Sundowns’ quest for the biggest accolade in local football.

The fact that Wits are out of the African safari gives them an advantage over their rivals who are still fighting from more fronts.

Downs have a date with AS Vita of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the second round of the African Champions League as they vie for the group stage of the continent’s biggest competition.

With nine goals to his name, Billiat has been a revelation in the title-chasing team, combined well with Keegan Dolly and Leonardo Castro upfront as the side chases a second league title in three years.

–Guardian