Wednesday saw former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns striker Katlego Mashego explain what Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs need to do, to close the gap behind Sundowns. Sundowns are on course to win their sixth consecutive Premiership title, with a 24-point lead over both of the Soweto giants after the Soweto Derby over the weekend.
Mashego says in order for Pirates and Chiefs to close the gap behind Sundowns, they need to compete with them for big players. “It’s very hard to pin-point but I mean Sundowns signed players from South America, they come here and they make a difference,” Mashego said on SAFM Sport. “And they sign the best players in the league which are available for any team to sign. You know, I think the recruitment at both Chiefs and Pirates needs to be… I’m not going be disrespectful and say a little bit better but I’m sure they can do better with player recruitment. They will probably need to match Sundowns for these top players,” he said.
‘Mahoota’ went on to suggest that it’s important that the big teams compete at the same level because that benefits Bafana Bafana. “These are the two biggest teams in South Africa and I always say when I speak to people about football and Bafana Bafana and I say if your top four, five teams in the league are doing well, it augurs well for the national team, that’s where you get the best players at the top teams,” he said.
Mashego also added that there is nothing stopping Pirates and Chiefs from also signing some of the best players from South America. “I would think both teams would probably need to look at their recruitment strategy and policies and probably get the best players. I mean they can even go to South America,” he said. “Sundowns go there and bring two of the best players in the league, (Gaston) Sirino and (Marcelo) Allende, so I’m sure Pirates and Chiefs can do that,” he concluded.
Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns striker Katlego Mashego has suggested that Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs need to compete with Sundowns for big players in order to close the gap between them. Mashego believes that both teams need to improve their recruitment strategies and policies in order to acquire the best players, both from South Africa and South America. According to Mashego, if the top four or five teams in the league are doing well, it augurs well for the national team, as this is where the best players can be found.
A thrilling North-South Derby in Cairo comes to a close and the spoils are shared!
Al Ahly (59′ Abdelmonem, 74′ El Shahat) 2⃣➖2⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (35′ Shalulile, 80′ Morena)Sundowns DownsLive TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/656yWmGAFT
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 25, 2023
