Ivory Coast legend Salomon Kalou hails South African football, calls PSL a model for Africa

Former Ivory Coast star Solomon Kalou has expressed admiration for the standard and professionalism of South African football, highlighting the Premiership as a benchmark for the continent. 

At the Johannesburg Expo Centre, the former Chelsea attacker eulogized both the league and the national team setup.

Kalou pointed out the quality of local talent in the Premier Soccer League, noting how many South African internationals play domestically for clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

“The South African league is impressive,” he said. “You see how the national team is filled with players who play at home. That shows how strong the league is and how well those teams are developing talent.”

Kalou also emphasized the resurgence of South African football on the international stage, comparing it to the glory days of the Golden Generation in 1996. 

“The national team is coming back to the level it used to be. Since ’96, we’ve been waiting for South Africa to get back to where they belong, and now they are showing it.”

The former Chelsea forward praised the professionalism and infrastructure he witnessed in South Africa, including stadiums and training environments. He contrasted it with the situation in West Africa, noting that such opportunities are rare in countries like Ivory Coast. 

“It would be great for players to come home and finish their careers or even start here. We don’t have that at home, so we’re a little envious,” Kalou said.

With his praise, Kalou has spotlighted South Africa as a model for professional football in Africa, combining local talent development, strong infrastructure, and opportunities for players to thrive domestically.