Kaizer Chiefs legend picks Orlando Pirates as ‘the best team in the country’

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mandla Masango has given reasons why he feels Orlando Pirates are the best team in South Africa currently.

Pirates have been on a roll in their recent matches with just one defeat in their last 18 games, winning 15, and made it to the Carling Knockout final following a 1-0 win over Richards Bay on Saturday.

The Soweto giants can now look forward to a second trophy this season, having already put the MTN8 in the bag, and have been impressive with most of their players proving to be quality.

This is down to the transfer business done in the off-season, when 11 new players arrived and they have lit up the Orlando Stadium, giving coach Abdeslam Ouaddou a big selection headache and making the stars of last season struggle to get into the team.

What has impressed Masango about Pirates?

Despite the presence of a star-studded Mamelodi Sundowns, who have won the last eight PSL titles, Masango has picked Pirates as his best team in the country as he feels they have quality all over.

“Pirates at the moment, they are the best team in the country, we shouldn’t take that away from them,” Masango told iDiski Times.

“They have the quality and the depth. The quality players they have are incredible because you take off this one, you bring on this one, it’s the same.

“I think last season they were lacking more of this and the depth because one player would get injured and now, they are struggling.

Soweto giants have a chance to win treble  

“But now you can see they are well balanced and there’s so much competition in each and every position.”

Pirates are second on the PSL table on 22 points from 10 games, three behind leaders Sundowns, who have played two more matches, and will be hoping to win the Carling Knockout to keep their treble dreams alive.

The only disappointment for the Buccaneers is that they are out of the CAF Champions League, a competition their recruitment was meant to help them win, after reaching the semi-final last season.

Pirates were eliminated at the second preliminary round by Congolese side St Eloi Lupopo last month.