It has been predicted that Orlando Pirates will challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the Betway Premiership title. Could the Bafana Bafana dynamic indicate a power shift?
Since Sundowns won the league title seven times in a row, there is a growing belief among neutrals that their stranglehold of total dominance is waning.
Despite the slow start to the season, the team managed to lose two straight games against Stellenbosch FC in the MTN8 semi-finals without scoring a single goal in regulation time.
As the Tshwane giants undergo their own structural changes, new coach Manqoba Mngqithi has introduced a new game model that is not only different from Rulani Mokwena's methods but from any previous coach since the Pitso Mosimane era began in 2012. It has caused a shock to the system.
Since the majority of Sundowns' players were previously selected from the same Masandawana squad, their struggles may also be related to Bafana Bafana's.
When Bafana was 2-1 down in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda, the introduction of Pirates duos Relebohile Mofokeng and Thalente Mbatha seemed to turn things around and inspire Hugo Broos' charges to a point after Veli Mothwa made two goalkeeping mistakes.
Mofokeng's guile and youthful exuberance on the ball unlocked a static Cranes defence, allowing South Africa to create plenty of chances
Mbatha's goal was well executed despite the fact that Sundowns utility player Aubrey Modiba played an important role in opening up the Uganda defence on an overlap.
Against South Sudan on Tuesday, the duo was introduced with the game at 2-2. Mbatha scored the winner in the dying seconds of the match, similar to his goal against Uganda, and Mofokeng's impact was also obvious.
The impact of Pirates players off the bench could signify that the Buccaneers could finally have key and quality players to challenge at the top, particularly if Masandawana continues to disappoint.
Defending two cups last season, the MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup, after beating Masandawana in both finals, was a major success for the Soweto giants.
