Motsepe proud but cautious

MAMELODI Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe has warned that the job for his club in the African Champions League is still far from done.

“I think it is correct to say Pitso has done wonderful work‚” he said of the achievement of coach Mosimane. “They made us all very proud.

“But nobody remembers No 2‚” he added as Sundowns turn their sights to the final.

He had a brief discourse with reporters after swooping down like a royal prince through the change-room area after Sundowns beat Zesco United of Zambia on Saturday to qualify for the Champions League final‚ spending time in both change rooms after the game.

Motsepe‚ who was later given a police escort out of the ground despite not being a public officer‚ is a rare figure at Sundowns matches, but he brought his family to watch Saturday’s game.

He has pumped in close to R150m in the decade since he took over at Sundowns but initially received little return for his investment before finally finding his man in Mosimane.

Mosimane has delivered two league championships in the last three seasons as well as success in the Nedbank Cup and Telkom Knockout.

Sundowns chase more silverware on Saturday when they meet Wits for the MTN8 title.

The club could be in for a huge financial windfall in the next month with millions in prize money lying in wait if they keep up their successful ways.

On the immediate horizon is the R8m prize money for winning the MTN8 final while the Brazilians are already guaranteed $1m for reaching the African Champions League final. If they beat Zamalek of Egypt in the final it will rise to a staggering $3.5m.

This is more than four times what they earned for winning the Premier Soccer League last year. TMG Digital