THE SKY IS THE LIMIT

Photos: BackpagePix, African News Agency (ANA) By HERMAN GIBBS

Mamelodi Sundowns are setting the bar on and off the field

NEW fresh-faced chairman Tlhopie Motsepe is making all the right moves to ensure Mamelodi Sundowns continue to scale dizzy heights.

Tlhopie, eldest son of South African billionaire and new Caf president Patrice Motsepe, is broadening the vision of the undisputed kings of SA football.

With a record 11 PSL men’s titles and the coveted 2016 Caf Champions League crown already in the trophy cabinet, Sundowns broke new ground recently when their women’s team were crowned inaugural winners of the 2021 Caf Women’s Champions League Qualifying after beating Black Rhinos Queens of Zimbabwe in the final in Durban.

With this win, Sundowns women booked their ticket to the Champions League in Egypt, in November. No team on the continent has ever won the Caf men’s and women’s Champions League.

It is not just on the field that Sundowns are setting the bar under Tlhopie’s guidance. The 32-year-old recently attracted headlines when he announced a partnership with American athlete management and entertainment company Roc Nation, owned and founded by famous rapper Jay Z.

Roc Nation has already established a footprint in Mzansi with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and fellow Boks Cheslin Kolbe, Sbu Nkosi and Aphelele Fassi.

Proteas limited-overs captain Temba Bavuma and fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, along with SA netball captain Bongi Msomi are also on their books.

Furthermore, Tlhopie has also pulled off a coup in securing the services of two leading La Liga Uefa Pro Licenced coaches Toni Alvarez and Luis Martinez for an exclusive workshop for 20 members of Sundowns’ technical, academy and scouting staff at the club’s Chloorkop headquarters.

The Spanish gurus were accompanied by La Liga Southern Africa managing director Marcos Pelegrin, and the emphasis was on coaching, football methodology and the development of the game model.

New boss Tlhopie Motsepe celebrates winning the 2020-21 Premiership title with his Sundowns team.

Some of the technical staffers who attended included the head of Sundowns Academy Sam Mbatha and former players who are now part of the club’s coaching and scouting structures such as Surprise Moriri, Isaac Shai, Michael Manzini, Esrom Nyandoro and Godfrey Sapula.

SA’s relationship with Spanish football and La Liga runs deep since Spain won their first World Cup here in 2010, while Sundowns have also hosted La Liga giants Barcelona on two occasions in 2007 and 2018.

Indeed, there is no other way than up at Sundowns. And as they say in the classics: The sky is the limit.

Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona beats Wayne Arendse of Mamelodi Sundowns FC during the Nelson Mandela Centenary Challenge at FNB stadium.

Sundowns are aiming to become the first team to win the men’s and women’s Caf Champions League titles in November.