Sundowns v Barcelona match ‘is coming’
JOHANNESBURG: SAFA president Danny Jordaan yesterday afternoon said the game between Mamelodi Sundowns and Barcelona, which has been the subject of uncertainty since it was announced by Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe last week, was “coming”, but further details were for Motsepe to pronounce.
South Africans have been anxiously waiting for the club to give more information, such as ticket sales, the actual date of the fixture and logistics.
However, since first confirming the match on Metro FM last Friday, neither Motsepe, nor Sundowns communication department, have said a word. What has aggravated the situation is the deafening silence from Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Jacque Grobbelaar, Stadium Management CEO of the company that runs the FNB Stadium – took to Twitter to announce that the match has been approved by Uefa, the fixture set for Tuesday with kickoff at 6.15pm and that Computicket and Shoprite had been given the rights to sell the match tickets.
“The match is coming and it is for (Motsepe) to announce the detail,” said Jordaan shortly after the launch of the ABC Motsepe League play-off draw at Safa house, an event which was attended by Precious Motsepe, the wife of the Sundowns owner, in place of the mining magnate himself.
She joked that she had not seen her husband since he jetted off with Jordaan to Spain to watch Barcelona play to a 2-2 draw with rivals Real Madrid on Sunday.
“I am sure he is back and just arrived this morning and I am sure he will have a press conference.
“I don’t want to give you anymore details, please speak to Sundowns,” Jordaan explained.
“But Safa has a long history in supporting Nelson Mandela and this is the centenary year of his celebration. Last year when we were in Madrid, we discussed this matter with La Liga ... We discussed this in planning the centenary celebration of Nelson Mandela. So, if Sundowns have come forward to say they are champions of South Africa and Barcelona are the champions of Spain, what a wonderful celebration of football.”
Patrice is believed to be forking out R100-million, plus the added R125 000 to have Caf shift Sundowns’ Champions League clash against Horoya to later in May, so they can bring Barcelona to South Africa for a game that was at first said to be schedule for next week Wednesday.
Precious continued, saying the Motsepe Foundation would be hosting the Spanish outfit in honour of Mandela. “The foundation is celebrating the 100 years, and our role is really to come in and host Barcelona and have them play Sundowns.
“The technical stuff and logistical arrangements are not really something I can give you information on. I am sure Jordaan mentioned that the game is going to be on Tuesday.”
Last night Sundowns called a press conference for today. It is believed Motsepe will possibly confirm the match details.
Computicket, meanwhile, said “bookings are not open for public sales yet and tickets will be released during the course of the week.”
The cheapest ticket will go for R40.