Mngqithi, who spent over a decade at Sundowns and won multiple league titles as well as the CAF Champions League before his departure last year, says he understands the logic behind the club's decisions - particularly after losing a "magician" like Brazilian playmaker Lucas Ribeiro Costa.

Replacing a player of that quality, he argued, "forces you to sign two or three top-level players," which often leads to foreign acquisitions.

However, he believes the shift represents a stark departure from Sundowns' former policy of prioritising local players, a mandate he says was explicitly enforced during his tenure.

That approach ensured strong national-team representation, highlighted by the club's heavy presence in the Bafana Bafana squad that won bronze at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast - the country's first AFCON medal in 24 years.

This time, the numbers tell a different story. For the upcoming tournament, Sundowns have only five players in Hugo Broos' squad: Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Bathusi Aubaas, Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba.

Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, boast nine selections, including Sipho Chaine, Oswin Appollis, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tshepang Moremi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Sipho Mbule, Thalente Mbatha, Evidence Makgopa and Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

Speaking after his side's 1-0 loss to AmaZulu FC on Tuesday, this contrast, Mngqithi says, reflects Pirates' commitment to developing and trusting local talent.

"Pirates have more players than Sundowns in the national team, and I can't blame Hugo Broos for that," the Arrows coach was quoted by Sportswire.

"In Sundowns' starting line-up, you often have five or six players who are not eligible for Bafana Bafana, and that's where the direction is changing."

He praised Pirates for building with younger South African players, noting that names like Moremi, Appollis, Mofokeng, Mbule and Makgopa represent the future Bafana pipeline.

Mngqithi warned that South African football risks losing its long-standing club-to-national-team development chain - once led by Chiefs, Pirates, Sundowns and even Golden Arrows during the 2010 World Cup era - if teams abandon local recruitment.

While he acknowledges that Sundowns have strengthened their squad with top-quality foreigners such as Nuno Santos and Miguel Reisinho, he believes the national team will feel the long-term impact.

"If we don't continue in that direction, we'll be excited at club level but disappointed at national level very soon," he cautioned.

Innocent Maela backs Orlando Pirates' readiness to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the title