Former Mamelodi Sundowns president and now CAF boss Patrice Motsepe has revealed the European leagues Masandawana used to compete with on player salaries.
Motsepe spoke about Sundowns while addressing the media on Wednesday, during a CAF press conference for a new sponsorship announcement held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton.
When asked about the importance of keeping the players on the African continent rather than them seeking opportunities in Europe, Motsepe stated that players must be paid well if local leagues are to retain them.
The CAF leader said that during his tenure as Sundowns president, the club used to match the salaries offered to players in leagues across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Greece.
This was done to retain domestic players and attract those based overseas to the PSL.
MOTSEPE SAYS PLAYERS MUST BE PAID WELL TO REMAIN LOCALLY
“The players have to think about their families and think about themselves,” said Motsepe. “What will have a big impact on ensuring that some of the best African players stay in Africa is that we’ve got to pay them well.
“We have to pay them competitively. And I know from my experience [at Sundowns], we used to compete with Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Greece.
“And we’d ask the players, ‘Okay fine, how much are you earning there? And we can pay you [that]’. They would rather be in Africa.
“They would [prefer] to be with their families, and the food is nice [here]. And to be with your community and friends is something that is fulfilling. So, it’s important to make sure that we pay our players very well.
“I’m proud of what many of our African clubs are doing at a huge sacrifice. And some of them at a huge financial sacrifice because they don’t have the resources.
“Some of the families have to use their own money. I’m proud of that, but what I like is that the quality of African football is consistently improving.”
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