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CONFIRMATION: PSL RUBBER-STAMPS SUNDOWNS V BARCELONA SHOWDOWN
Caf Champions League tie against Horoya set for switch.
The Premier Soccer League confirmed yesterday that they have given permission for Absa Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns to play La Liga champions Barcelona in a friendly match at the FNB Stadium on May 16.
Sundowns announced on Friday they would play Barcelona for the second time in 11 years, after the two sides also played a friendly match in June 2007.
That 2007 game, however, came after the 2006/7 season had finished, while this clash comes while the 2017/18 Premier Soccer League season is still on. In May 2013, the PSL refused to allow Ajax Cape Town to play Liverpool in a friendly match, because they wanted to play the match while the season was still on.
This time, however, the PSL say permission was granted.
“The match has been arranged to form part of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebrations,” read a PSL statement.
“The League has always followed the same approach in respect of friendly matches, in particular when these will (or might) impact the League or Cup competitions. This request however was of extraordinary nature in that it formed part of the Madiba Centenary Celebrations.
“Moreover, it had both direct support of sponsors Nedbank and Government in light of the nature and importance of the event and the part football plays in bringing South Africans together.”
Maritzburg United and Free State Stars will clash in the Nedbank Cup final in Cape Town just three days after the Sundowns-Barcelona friendly.
Sundowns were also scheduled to play Horoya FC of Guinea in a Caf Champions League group stage match in Guinea the day before the Sundowns friendly, but that game will now surely have to be moved.
In 2007 at Loftus Versfeld, Barcelona beat Sundowns 2-1, with Surprise Moriri netting for Masandawana.
Barca brought out the likes of Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o and this time fans will see stars like Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.