Seasoned PSL midfielder Gaston Sirino has revealed a significant disparity he’s observed between his current club Kaizer Chiefs and his former team, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Drawing on his intimate knowledge of both camps, the Uruguayan playmaker highlighted the stark contrast in squad depth as a crucial differentiator between the two South African heavyweights.
Read: Gaston Sirino determined to lift Nedbank Cup with Kaizer Chiefs
Speaking to the media at the Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena on Monday, Sirino emphasized that securing victory in the upcoming Nedbank Cup final would carry even greater significance given the current squad dynamics.
“I think here [at Chiefs], there aren’t too many players, but at Sundowns, there are many good players,” Sirino stated as quoted by FARPost. “There is also too much quality at Sundowns.”
He further elaborated on the implications of this difference, noting, “When there are players who are injured at Chiefs, you can see that the team is short. You can see when [Inacio] Miguel got injured, we had Bradley Cross playing centre-back”.
In contrast, Sirino pointed out the abundance of options at his former club: “So at Sundowns, there are too many players in every position, but the quality here at Chiefs is also good.”
Sirino’s transfer to Chiefs as a free agent ahead of the 2024/25 season followed a period at Sundowns where he found consistent starting opportunities under then-coach Rulani Mokwena increasingly limited.
During his successful seven-year spell with the Brazilians, the Montevideo native established himself as a key player, amassing over 200 appearances across all competitions, contributing a notable 41 goals and 44 assists.
His trophy cabinet from his Masandawana tenure is impressive, boasting seven league titles and the inaugural African Football League (AFL) trophy.
Now, the 34-year-old is expected to be instrumental in their quest to reclaim their status as a dominant force in South African football. So far this season, he has featured in 23 matches across all competitions for Amakhosi, registering three goals and six assists.
As Chiefs gear up for the highly anticipated Nedbank Cup final clash against their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, Sirino’s insights into the contrasting strengths and weaknesses of the league’s top teams add an intriguing layer to the pre-match conversation.
Indeed, the last major silverware lifted by the Glamour Boys was the Absa Premiership title back in the 2014/15 season. Kick off is set for 15:30 on Saturday, 10th May at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.