The increased level of professionalism at Mamelodi Sundowns could curtail more potential overseas transfers, after Teboho Mokoena revealed his inspiration for committing until 2029.
Bafana could easily field an all-Sundowns eleven, after at least nine players frequented the line-ups in the previous Africa Cup of Nations, especially with the recent additions of Iqraam Rayners and Jayden Adams.
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The Sundowns influence in the PSL is that with the increased standards of professionalism, going to Europe is no longer a big priority, especially after the likes of Mokoena and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams signed long-term contracts that would keep them at the club until 2029.
In addition to lucrative multimillion-rand packages, the long-term commitment by the club could be the new inspiration for the current players, after Mokoena revealed that he was inspired by Themba Zwane to stay consistent in his game, rather than look abroad for inspiration.
"The consistency is very important for me, you know you're as good as your last game. I always want to get better in each and every game play," Mokoena said on SoccerBeat YouTube Channel.
"I don't choose games, 'I'll play this one, the other one I won't play, this one I'll take lightly, the other one...' No, no. Every game is as important as the other ones. It has always been like that ever since I turned professional.
"One of the day I got to Sundowns I had a conversation with 'Shiga' (Themba Zwane), he said to me, when he got to 30, he wanted to play until he's 37, 38. I said why and he said, 'Because when everyone gets to that age they think it's old', now he's turning 36 and his level went higher than when he was younger and I was like that's the inspiration, I don't have to look far for inspiration, the inspiration was here," Mokoena added.
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The trend at Sundowns of giving players five-year contracts has become more attractive than looking for a move abroad, where there is an element of risk, particularly for players who have surpassed their mid 20s.
