Dikgang Mabalane: Pirates are now better than Sundowns, they can compete with them anytime
“Pirates winning the league was way overdue. I thought they’d win it last season because they were close, but it didn’t happen. But it was a step in the right depiction and that’s how we got to win the league. The first season with Rudi Krol, we finished a close second, and then we took the title the second season,” Mabalane told iDiski Times.
“Sometimes that’s what it takes and what it means for the next season, we must not take away from what Sundowns have done, eight consecutive seasons winning the title, let’s give them credit, respect for that. Pirates are now at a level where they can compete with Sundowns.
“It will bring a nice competitive upcoming season, but remember, Sundowns are competing continentally [CAF Champions League] and even globally [Club World Cup], not just domestically. They have moved to a level higher, hence they acquire the quality they have.
“Yes, people complain that the foreigners take the place of local players, but this is where Pirates have to compete and up their level. They too probably have to buy more quality because they need to be competitive at that level.”
