Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates winger Daine Klate has addressed the glaring contrast in recruitment strategies between Mamelodi Sundowns and the Mighty Buccaneers, pinpointing it as a decisive factor in the Tshwane giants’ sustained supremacy.
Reflecting on yet another season where Pirates fell short in their title pursuit, Klate emphasized that Sundowns’ meticulous long-term planning and strategic player acquisitions have been instrumental in their dominance.
By consistently identifying and securing top talent to fit their system, the Brazilians have maintained their edge over domestic rivals.
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The reigning champions showcased their superiority once more, clinching an eighth consecutive league title with an outstanding tally of 73 points from 28 matches.
Despite Pirates’ commendable campaign, their 61-point finish relegated them to second place—marking their third consecutive season as runners-up.
At one stage, the title race seemed poised for an electrifying battle between the two clubs, but Sundowns’ unwavering consistency saw them surge ahead, leaving the Sea Robbers trailing yet again.
Klate believes the Pirates’ failure to reach the 70-point threshold – which has become a benchmark in the Sundowns era – remains a key obstacle.
“Pitso [Mosimane] left Sundowns in a good space and whoever came in after that, enhanced it,” said Klate on SoccerBeat podcast.
“The players that they bring in, they’ve got a clear profile of a player they want, in what position they want. They don’t just go out and sign whoever is in the market.
“They don’t sign a player because for another team, they sign that player because they want him to come and compete with whoever they have. That brings about the competition, that’s been the key to Sundowns’ success; it’s the competition within the group and the way the club operate.
“Sundowns have really dominated, and it’s difficult for Pirates to catch up, and I’m happy to see the progress they have made.
“They came close this year, they can go back next year and look at where they went wrong this season and which games they were supposed to win and which games kept them close to Sundowns.
“The most important thing is to come close to Sundowns, don’t even think of overtaking Sundowns for now.
“You know they are on 72 points, we played for 60-something points and won the league. This is how we used to win the league back in the days.
“Sundowns have upped the standard to 70-point mark. Extra ten points is needed to compete with Sundowns.”
As Pirates look to bridge the gap, Klate’s remarks serve as a reminder that recruitment remains a crucial piece of the puzzle in dethroning the dominant force in South African football.