Former Orlando Pirates winger Dikgang Mabalane says his former side will need to reinforce their squad with quality players if they are to maintain their competitive levels next season.
‘The Terminator’s comments come on the back of Pirates’ success in the 2025/26 season where they completed a domestic treble that also included the Betway Premiership title. The Buccaneers had been coming close in recent campaigns but only managing second place.
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Mabalane, 46, a member of the last group before the current champions to have enjoyed winning a treble in 2012, told iDiski Times senior journalist Matshelane Mamabolo in edition 257 of the newspaper how his group were also runners-up leading to their success.
He said he is hoping for higher levels of competitiveness between Pirates and the two-time African champions Sundowns next season.
However, he added Pirates may also need to look outside South Africa to have a team that can go toe-to-toe with the Brazilians.
“Pirates winning the league was way overdue,” Mabalane told iDiski Times.
“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.
“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.”
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