The value of South African football is on the rise, with Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Kaizer Chiefs competing fiercely in the Arrows Cup title race. Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou stated in a press release that the competitive nature among these teams adds significant value to the country’s football. What sets the Sundowns apart this season is their dominance of the league, having secured eight consecutive league titles. Currently, the Sundowns, Pirates, and Chiefs—known as the “Big Three”—are all on a roll, with only a few points separating them at the halfway mark.
Meanwhile, despite his team scoring six goals in two games in Durban last week, Ouaddou is not satisfied with his team’s finishing. The Buccaneers beat AmaZulu 2-0 in a league match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium midweek before handing ABC Motsepe League side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) a 4-1 drubbing in a Nedbank Cup last 32 clash at the same venue over the weekend. But despite these convincing victories, Ouaddou was still not happy and urged his side to be more ruthless in front of the goal. “If you look at the data. How many shots do we take at goal, and how many chances do we create to get into the final third? You will realise quickly that this is simply not enough,” said Ouaddou.
“The numbers don’t lie, so we need to finish goals off,” added the Moroccan coach before revealing what he told his players before the game against TTM. “I told my players that the only way to respect these kinds of teams is if you have to score six or seven goals, then you do just that because it’s the law of football.”
Professional sport, regardless of its form, requires players and athletes to be ruthless and determined at any cost. Maintaining this composure is not easy in football, where opportunities constantly arise for one team to give way to another—it depends on whether the opposition can recognize and exploit them. For a team to defeat another, as the Pirates did against AmaZulu with a 2–0 scoreline, is a step closer to challenging Sundowns and Chiefs. Statistics in football highlight how many attempts are needed to score a goal, and two alone against AmaZulu will not be enough to oppose Sundowns and Chiefs. Pirates will need to put in extra effort to score the necessary goals to remain competitive in the league and secure victory.
This is no simple task, given that opposing teams are striving to do the same. The three giants—Sundowns, Pirates, and Chiefs—are formidable, and how they compete against one another will determine who stays at the top of the league. Professional South African football continues to harness extraordinary talent for its clubs, but how players use that talent on the pitch ultimately shapes their coordination and success.
Meanwhile, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Nedbank have launched the 19th edition of South Africa’s premier knockout football tournament, the Nedbank Cup.
The much-anticipated Round of 32 draw sets the stage for another season of thrilling matches, with opportunities for both top-tier clubs and emerging teams to shine on the national stage. Known for its David-and-Goliath clashes, the Nedbank Cup gives smaller clubs the chance to challenge the giants of South African football. In 2025, Kaizer Chiefs triumphed over Orlando Pirates in a memorable final, highlighting the excitement, competitiveness, and passion that fans in Johannesburg south and across the country have come to expect.
Soccer, like all professional sports, is focused on attracting the largest number of spectators. The competitiveness of the game—especially soccer—is the major draw for fans eager to see whether their team is capable of winning. Football tournaments such as the Nedbank Cup provide opportunities for all teams, including smaller clubs, to compete on challenging terms. The tournament itself is a series of matches that sharpen the skills of opposing teams, giving minor sides the chance to test their mettle against seasoned veterans. Soccer is ruthless and uncompromising, pushing both teams to their limits.
Football is a sport that inspires encouragement and fuels the aspirations of its audience. It is fortunate that all teams and their players have opportunities, through competitions like the Arrows Cup and the Nedbank Cup, to showcase their talent and compete at the highest level.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
