Former Manchester United forward' coach Benni McCarthy has praised the standard of South African football, stating that it was on an upward trajectory.
McCarthy's comments come after Bafana Bafana secured an impressive third-place finish at the Africa Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Ivory Coast earlier this year.
The South African national team has also secured qualification for next year's tournament in impressive fashion, topping their qualifying group which included Uganda, Congo Brazzaville and South Sudan.
The PSL, which has seen Mamelodi Sundowns dominate the league with seven consecutive titles, has started the new season on an exciting note with Soweto giants Orlando Pirates, who have finished second for two seasons, putting up a strong challenge for the title in the early stages.
Pirates and Sundowns are neck-and-neck in the league standings, both with 21 points from eight matches, creating an exciting spectacle for fans. Unlike in previous seasons, where the Brazilians claimed the title with little competition.
"South African football is on the up, we see with the national team but we are also seeing how competitive the Betway Premiership has developed you know, now it's no longer just a one-horse race, but there's Orlando Pirates that's come into contention," McCarthy said.
While Pirates have put a fight this season so far, McCarthy hopes that Kaizer Chiefs, Cape Town City and other teams in the league can also put a better showing to make the league more exciting.
"Stellenbosch slowly and surely are there and there about, hopefully, we can get Chiefs and the likes of Cape Town City, and we can get them back on track as well. Teams have good players, good young players,"
IOL Sport