‘Kings of Africa’ now also in the money after historic win
Sundowns’ players, staff to share R21m after historic win
MAMELODI Sundowns’ president Patrice Motsepe confirmed the team will share almost R21million which comes with winning the CAF Champions League.
Since the mining magnate took over the club in 2004, it has always been his policy to give the players and the technical team the entire winnings while he takes only the trophy to display at the Brazilians’ headquarters in Chloorkop.
The Champions League was the only trophy that hadn’t graced Sundowns’ offices in Motsepe’s time. It has always been the billionaire’s dream to see Sundowns rule the continent.
He brought coaches like Miguel Gamondi, Henri Michel, Hristo Stoichkov and Johan Neeskens to realise that dream, but only experienced nightmares.
Pitso Mosimane succeeded in the continent in his fourth year in charge. It was only their second participation in the Champions League under Mosimane, who took over when Sundowns were bottom of the log in 2012.
“I had lots of coaches from all over the world. I had to wait for a young man from South Africa to show us, something that we always knew, that we have so much talent in South Africa. We must just give our coaches a chance,” Motsepe said.
“It’s no secret that I had tried to get Pitso for some time, even before he went to the national team. When he did that I understood that going to the national team was a part of him making a contribution to South Africa.
“There’s a young boy from Soweto, KwaMashu or Khayelitsha, who looks at Pitso and says that here is one of our own winning the highest and most respected trophy in Africa, I can also do it.”
Sundowns return to South Africa tomorrow.