Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos believes Mamelodi Sundowns will retain their title as champions but worries that poor competition in the PSL could hinder their progress in the CAF Champions League.
The Brazilians are well on track to secure a eighth consecutive league title, having collected 28 points from the opening eight games of the season – eight more than second-placed SuperSport United.
READ | Pirates' Mako, Chiefs' Mthethwa headline latest Bafana squad
Asked on his opinion on the standard of the Premier Soccer League, Broos said on SABC Sport that he felt the Premiership had not improved.
"First of all I think we will have the same season like the season before, Sundowns will be champions," Broos said
"You see already now they are seven, eight or ten points ahead and they have played about eight or nine matches. So, they win every game, they didn't lose one point.
"When I see Chiefs and Pirates who normally have to be the biggest opponents of a team like Sundowns, yes it's not what we expect from those teams.
"This is not good for South African football and I think for Sundowns even, that it is not good.
They were in the quarter-finals two years ago, they were in the semi-final last year [of the CAF Champions League] and I think one of the reason why they can't jump to the final is because the opponents [they play against] every week is not strong enough.
"When you see the Champions League in Europe, all the big teams from Spain, from England, they are playing the final of the Champions League, why? Because every game, every time, every moment they have to put in 110% to win a game."
"I think it's not good also for South African football, certainly not for Sundowns either."
Broos may not be alone in his assessment, Sundowns' Teboho Mokoena praised the competitiveness of Orlando Pirates as preparation for the CAF Champions League and possibly throwing a a jab at DStv Premiership team that usually play a low block against The Brazilians.
Teboho Mokoena is gracious in victory ??The #DStvPrem Man of the Match pays respect to the atmosphere at Orlando Stadium ???? Stream the post-match wrap: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/iQgRVX5YjC
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) September 20, 2023
Broos named seven Sundowns players in his final 23-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Eswatini and Ivory Coast.