Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo is hopeful that Mamelodi Sundowns get their house in order for the sake of the national team.
Khumalo, who is widely considered one of the finest players in South African football history was speaking as an ambassador of Chiefs at their partnership annoucement with Carling Black Label on Tuesday morning, reflecting on an interesting 2025/26 season.
With Orlando Pirates, Sundowns and Chiefs occupying the top three, Khumalo was quizzed whether the off the field issues in the Masandawana technical team is something the Soweto giants should take advantage of this season, he scoffed at the notion.
“It’s okay to pose it that fashion [teams must take advantage of Sundowns situation] but I would want to see any team in the PSL to challenge Sundowns without problems, why do you have to wait for them to be crippled and then you take advantage of that, when they are not at their best and you want to say you are the best,” Khumalo said at the AB&Bev headquarters in Bryanston.
“They have their internal problems, you, yourself, fix yourself and face them when they don’t have problems, then I will take my hat off, and salute – but at the moment, I can’t say that. You waiting for them [Sundowns] for a situation when there’s a crisis in the club.
“Then you want to come and celebrate saying I’ve beaten Sundowns… no, they are going through a phase, it’s football problems, so I just hope and wish they overcome that and become the Sundowns we know. They make the PSL exciting and produce players for South Africa – we can’t celebrate when Sundowns have problems.”
Khumalo went on to state it’s necessary for Sundowns to be at their best as they raise the level and standards of Bafana Bafana when they are firing and in form.
“I’m praying and hoping they resolve their problems, we can’t afford to lose Sundowns, especially on the continent. Remember, Sundowns are so important to us. When the draw was made for the World Cup, they asked the Mexican coach; what do you think of South Africa?
“He was talking about South Africa and answered by saying, ‘I saw Sundowns in the FIFA Club World Cup’ with this and that, you understand what I mean?
“These guys have taken the pride of the nation to another level – countries, teams, respect South African football because of Sundowns, Pirates and all the teams that have played outside South Africa.”
