BCM rolls out the red carpet for Sundowns

REIGNING African and PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns were given a hero’s welcome when they arrived in East London yesterday ahead of tonight’s game against Chippa United.

Sundowns, who were mobbed by high-spirited fans at the airport earlier, were treated like royalty at a glitzy gala dinner organised by Buffalo City Metro (BCM) mayor Xola Pakati.

Speaking at the event Pakati said it was an honour for BCM to host a team of Sundown’s calibre.

“This is to honour the visiting team and recognise their achievement at the CAF Champions League finals but more especially coach Pitso Mosimane, who is the African coach of the year.”

Fresh from their 6-0 drubbing of Soweto giants Orlando Pirates, the Brazilians received a warm welcome from East London fans at the airport.

Singing, dancing and chanting the club president’s name, Patrice Motsepe, the fans from East London and Mdantsane supporters’ clubs were excited to see their heroes.

Chairman of the Mdantsane supporters’ club Andile Ndudula said it was important to cheer up the players.

“We are here to show the players that we love them, this is our favourite team.

“We want them to feel welcomed in East London.”

Chairman of the East London branch Zolani Ngesman appealed to the Eastern Cape government to make sure topflight football was organised frequently so that the province would benefit from the spinoffs of sport tourism.

“The government needs to prioritise sport as a way to attract tourists to our province and BCM, because when these big teams come here, they bring with them supporters from across the country.”

Brazilians team manager Peter Ndlovu said he was shocked to see they had such strong support in East London.

“This support that we received here is very good for our players.

“We had a good flight and the preparations went well ahead of tomorrow’s game.”

Ndlovu, a former Zimbabwean national soccer team captain and Sundowns striker, knows the importance of staying focused as a player.

“The players cannot relax after the last game, where we demolished Pirates.

“That game doesn’t count tomorrow, we might have won but we could lose [tonight].”

The players were also in high spirits yesterday and said they were not unsettled by the violent scenes at Loftus Versfeld Stadium at the weekend when Pirates fans invaded the pitch.

Attacking midfielder Teko Modise said the players were ready mentally and physically.

“We are used to being confronted by situations like that so it didn’t affect us at all.

“We are ready for tomorrow’s game.”

Sundowns skipper Nhlompho Kekana said: “We are professionals – we know the importance of tomorrow’s game.”

Chippa United host Sundowns at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in a league clash at 7.30pm today.

Sundowns are number five on the log with 25 points from 11 games.

Chippa are just outside the crucial top eight in ninth place with 19 points.

On Saturday angry fans invaded the soccer pitch in the 82nd minute with Sundowns leading Orlando Pirates by 6-0.

Pirates are likely to be penalised heavily by the PSL disciplinary committee for bringing the game of soccer into disrepute. — malibongwed@