Ex-Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns star Katlego Mphela details why PSL players shun Europe - 'Fun of nightclubs, chisanyama, the malls, the good suburbs'

South Africa has witnessed few players moving to big leagues in Europe in recent years.

Former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns forward Katlego Mphela, who had stints in France for RC Strasbourg and Stade Reims before prematurely returning home, explains why PSL players prefer staying at home.

Apart from the discouraging tax obligations in Europe, Mphela explains some social factors contributing to players sticking to the PSL.

"Because you pay me R50 that side and you take R25 [in tax], you understand? That's why you'd be asking why South African players don't want to go to Europe, I mean now you have Betway throwing almost a billion [rands] in the league," Mphela said as per Smash Sports.

"To be honest maybe you have top ten teams that pay well, you are home, you have family, South Africa is nice man, haha. Besides the fun of nightclubs and chisanyama, I'm just saying you can go to the mall, there is everything in this country. You can buy a nice car, nice house, and we have good suburbs. 

"So people want to compare West African players and South African players, it's not the same," the ex-Bafana Bafans star added.

"Go to West Africa, it's a different story, there's no malls, every building has bullet holes, it's a mess, there's no robots.

"So they [West African players] go there [to Europe] to survive, we go there, they don't play you, [You say] 'Ah I'll play for Chiefs, Sundowns, I'll still play [Caf] Champions League."

Of late, Mamelodi Sundowns players like goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau have been mentioned as players deserving of playing in Europe.

But they remain rooted in the PSL at a time when their international careers with Bafana Bafana have been flourishing.

In recent years, the likes of Bongani Zungu, Keagan Dolly, Patrick Maswanganyi, Rowen Human and Kobamelo Kodisang returned to South Africa while at the peak of their careers.

With Shandre Campbell being South Africa's latest export to Europe, although playing for Club Brugge's reserve team, it remains to be seen which player is next to move.

There are also expectations to witness a local player going to the Premier League, a stage last graced by Burnley's Lyle Foster.