Ex-SA international gives Orlando Pirates & Kaizer Chiefs no PSL chance against Mamelodi Sundowns 'for six, seven years' - 'Until they get it in their thick skulls that they need to invest'

For a decade, the Premier Soccer League has been dominated by Mamelodi Sundowns, who have won nine out of 10 possible crowns.

Eight of the PSL crowns have been back-to-back, and chances are high that they might make it nine in a row owing to the quality they have.

They recently joined 32 teams in the world for the FIFA Club World Cup, which is in its latter stages in the United States.

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs - clubs with a massive following in Mzansi- have been struggling to match Masandawana.

For the last three seasons, Pirates have finished behind the Brazilians, but are hopeful of going a step better in the 2025/26 campaign.

The Glamour Boys are worse; it was just last season that they ended their decade-long trophy drought.

Former Bafana Bafana striker Dino Ndlovu has tipped Sundowns to continue dominating if other PSL teams don't improve in terms of investing in good players.

"For me, in terms of sponsorship, we need to give credit to the leadership of the league; they've done well to improve the league financially," he told SNL24.
"But what hurts me the most is, the league is growing financially, but other football clubs still don't want to pay players; they pay players peanuts, and for me, that hurts the most.
"That's why you see there's a huge gap between the three teams in the PSL," Ndlovu continued.

"Sundowns is up there because they are investing in their own players, they invest in their facilities, but you've got teams who want players to go all out for them, but they still don't want to pay players.

"For me in terms of the standard of the league, I'm quiet convinced the league will be a one-race horse for the next coming six, seven years, until teams get it in their thick skulls that in order to get good players in their team, they need to invest, they need to pay players, invest in your own.

"Because you cannot invest in your own and expect good results. But football-wise it's interesting, I've seen we've got good young, up and coming players that made me feel fulfilled to come back and give experience to these players," the 35-year-old concluded.

The transfer window in Mzansi is ongoing, with teams getting players they feel will help them deliver.

So far, Pirates have confirmed the arrival of eight new players, with Amakhosi yet to officially communicate the same.

It will be interesting to see what the new season has to offer, especially regarding the race for the PSL crown.