CAPE TOWN – Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Derrick Spencer believes it will take a while for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams to close the gap Mamelodi Sundowns created in South African football.
The 41-year-old says with the squad depth and resources Sundowns have, they made it difficult for other teams to keep up.
Spencer is one of the football legends who are the MTN8 competition ambassadors.
Speaking in Cape Town ahead of this weekend’s MTN8 first semi-final between Stellenbosch FC and Orlando Pirates.
“Obviously, there’s a big gap at the moment in the PSL. It’s a very big gap that Sundowns has opened with the players that they have and assembled for the past few seasons,” said Spencer.
“We won’t lie about it, they’ve put in a lot of money – and for other teams to catch up, it’s still going to take a while.
“But I think [Orlando] Pirates are there with the players that they’ve got. They’ve got some quality players to match any team currently. But hopefully, we’ll see some changes this season in the league.”
Spencer says what MTN8 is doing in roping former players is what South African sports development needs.
“It’s been great being part of this great initiative. The other guys have been doing it in Mpumalanga, so we’re in Cape Town this weekend ahead of the first semi-final in Athlone,” he said.
“It’s great what MTN8 is doing, giving back to the community. We’ve got a lot of kids, and a lot of football equipment to give out, so giving back to these amateur teams is something motivating and inspiring for up and coming players.
“It’s not just football alone, it’s softball as well that we are focusing on. So it’s a good encouragement for the boys. It’s always good when people see us and we’ve played it before and when we meet up with them they know it is possible to get there one day, just like us.”
