The story behind the scenes

Sundowns do their homework and give homework

An insider explained that the club operates at a high level, where everyone knows what their role is and delivers on expectations.

“People don’t understand, you can have all the money in the world, but if you don’t do the work, you won’t succeed. At Sundowns, things are done at a European level. From the scouting, to how players are identified, to the new trends they bring in and the homework that’s given to the players to ensure that they don’t just go home after training and do nothing.

“A thorough process is made into signing players. Sundowns check if the player will fit into the system, because you need to check the character of the player as well. People think Sundowns sign for the sake of signing. They do their research on players they identify. You hardly hear of any problems with players because there is a system and you have to fit into it as a player.

“But even when it does not make sense financially, the club won’t sign a player. So, it does not mean that Sundowns just sign every player,” the insider told Soccer Laduma.

“Scouting at Sundowns is taken seriously. Remember, Sundowns are competing at a Champions League level, so they want players who can compete there. Sundowns don’t just look at South American players on videos and decide to sign them. They actually travel to countries like Bolivia to watch players and make decisions.

“Players are also given tasks to watch games and come back to give their analysis. Look at how players like Neo Maema and Khuliso Mudau have improved. It means coaches are doing the work behind the scenes,” added the source.

Sacrifices are made at Chloorkop

In an interview with Soccer Laduma last year, veteran goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene spoke about what sacrifices players need to make when playing for the dominant side.

“When players come to Sundowns, they can see it’s a different environment. You must prepare and sacrifice your life. At Sundowns, we come back from Cape Town with the last flight, and we train immediately at Chloorkop at around midnight. We regenerate at midnight and then you drive home,” the former Africa Cup of Nations winner said.

A few more players who have spoken to this publication revealed that they have less of a social life while playing for the Tshwane giants because of the amount of work and travelling they do at the club.

That’s how Sundowns have been able to ensure their players are fully focused on achieving the club’s goals.

Bonuses are the kicker, not salaries

Sundowns have been painted as the club that pays the biggest salaries, but Chiefs have shown that they can compete at that level, signing the likes of Khama Billiat, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Leonardo Castro and offering more than what they were getting at Chloorkop.

Keagan Dolly is also understood to be on a big package, as well as Itumeleng Khune. It’s understood that Pirates have a bracket when it comes to salaries, but they have made exceptions in the past for the likes of Thulani Hlatshwayo and Kermit Erasmus.

Former players and agents have indicated that the bonus structure at the Brazilians make a huge difference, with players often attracted to join the Tshwane giants with that being part of the reason. And because Sundowns are currently being run like a welloiled machine, the success is what allows them to earn more. It comes back to how the organisation is run.

How Downs compare to Chiefs, Pirates in the market

At the start of the season, the Tshwane giants signed seven players, in Marcelo Allende, Bongani Zungu, Sipho Mbule, Ronwen Williams, Abubeker Nasir, Abdelmounaim Boutouil and Terrence Mashego.

Up to now, Pirates have made 11 signings this season, bringing in Kermit Erasmus, Ndumiso Mabena, Craig Martin, Tapelo Xoki, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Eva Nga, Evidence Makgopa, Miguel Timm, Sipho Chaine and Souaibou Marou. Azola Matrose was signed by Bucs, but he was immediately loaned back to Chippa United.

Amakhosi have also been busy in the market. The signing of Christian Saile Basomboli in the just-ended January transfer window was their 10th of the season. Before then, they brought in Maart, Siyethemba Sithebe, Solomons, Matlou, Mahlatsi, Kwinika, Du Preez, Edmilson Dove and Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana.

This is a clear indication that the Soweto giants, who are often expected to compete with Sundowns, have the money to spend in the transfer market, but their players have not always raised the bar or improved their game. In fact, at times the players have arrived as stars only to fall by the wayside.