Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teko Modise believes Orlando Pirates are the side that can challenge Masandawana.
The Brazilians have just clinched their seventh straight DStv Premiership earlier this month. The scary thing is that Rulani Mokwena’s side doesn’t show signs of declining. With the 37-year-old expected to be at the helm for another four years, Sundowns can dominate for another half a decade at least.
Teko Modise played for both Pirates and Sundowns during his 16-year career. The former Bafana Bafana star says the Buccaneers have a squad capable of challenging Bafana Ba Style.
“I think every fan in South Africa will tell you that because I think from a squad balance point of view, I think Pirates have a balanced squad and I think they have every right to be able to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns in the league,” Modise said as per Goal.
“I mean, you look at Stellenbosch for the fact that they’ve been toying with that number two position and you look at the squad number, you look at the young players that they have, they don’t have the large squad number that Pirates have.
“But I strongly believe that Orlando Pirates should be the team automatically challenging Mamelodi Sundowns for the league,” said Teko.
In 2011, Modise made a big career move when he switched from Pirates to Sundowns. He played his best football with the Sea Robbers winning back-to-back Footballer of the Year awards. At Downs, Modise re-emerged helping the Brazilians to two league titles and a CAF Champions League title.
Teko says Pirates is the team to challenge Sundowns for the league
Former Pirates captain Edward Motale last week said Downs’ dominance would come to an end next season.
“We have good players,” Motale told Soccer Laduma.
“They are quality and good for the club. If we can just continue like this even next season then we can Sundowns for the league title. I don’t think it can be a problem at all. Look at the quality we have! All we need is to be consistent every season then we can compete with Sundowns for the title,” he said.
Bucs tipped to challenge Downs next season
Teko shares Motale’s belief that Pirates might just be the team to dethrone Sundowns’s dominance. The two giants of South African footbal face each in two weeks in the Nedbank Cup final. Both teams could also participate in the CAF Champions League next campaign with Masandawana having already booked their spot.