MAMELODI Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are a step ahead of Kaizer Chiefs.
This is the view of former AmaKhosi defender Tsepo Masilela. Masilela’s point was vindicated last season when Amakhosi finished outside in the top eight, 20 points behind eventual winners Sundowns and 18 behind Pirates who were the runner’s up.
What has also let Chiefs down of late is that they have not invested heavenly in their squad in the market compared to those two.
This season alone Chiefs signed five players, four of them are foreigners and have never played in the PSL before, whether that will work remain to be seen.
Masilela said: “I’m hoping this year it’s going to be better. But if you look at the gap last season, firstly you must think about closing it to be realistic in football.
“If you are behind 20 or 15 points then you must know that you up against it. But anything can happen in football.
“Look at the point difference and if the champions finish 60 points and you are on 40, you are far off.”
Masilela was part of Chiefs side that last won the league title and cup double in 2015 under former coach Stuart Baxter.
It was Chiefs side that was tanked with talented leaders such as Tefu Mashamaite, Siboniso Gaxa, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Morgan Gould, Josta Dladla, Siyabonga Nkosi and Siphiwe Tshabalala. Those players Chiefs have done little to replace them.
Added Masilela: “With our generation, we had more senior players, leaders in that team if you sit back and look at that team.”
That team in three years under Baxter, Chiefs won four trophies.
“In this group, there’s still have Bernard Parker, Willard Katsande, Itu Khune for them to help the youngsters. But I don’t want to compare the generations. Let them enjoy and try and bring back the smiles to the fans."
