Some of the Mamelodi Sundowns supporters who attended the open training session at Chloorkop on Thursday have described the experience as unforgettable.
FARPost caught up with some of the fans who took advantage of the opportunity to watch their favourite players prepare for a match.
Sundowns are set to take on Petro de Luanda in a must win CAF Champions League quarterfinal second leg match at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
“It’s history in the making, especially in South Africa. I don’t think it has ever happened before that a club would open its doors, especially for a game of this magnitude for us to come and witness,” said Itumeleng Kolokoto who travelled from Alexandra to watch the club training.
“For us supporters, it’s something I can’t describe but it’s a happy feeling. This is a special generation of players, actually of the team. From the technical team to the players, we are one complete team,” he said.
For Kolokoto the Champions League title would be a perfect fit for the squad that the club has assembled this season. “If we don’t win the Champions League this year, it will be difficult for us to recover because this is one of the best assembled Sundowns teams I have ever seen. We just need that star to top it off.”
Malomeforah Mahlaola from Tembisa is also confident that the Brazilians will progress to the semifinals given the support from the fans. “The most important thing for us is three goals and we know with our support and the support we showed them today they won’t disappoint us,” he said.
Mahlaola also shared with FARPost how he became a staunch Downs supporter. “In the village I grew up in, half of the people supported Orlando Pirates and the other half supported Kaizer Chiefs.
So, my uncle used to travel to HM Pitje Stadium to watch Sundowns and he used to advise me that ‘Mchana’ (young man). ‘When you choose a team don’t be swayed by other people. Choose a club that plays proper football and at that time we had the likes of Augustine Makalakalane, Joel ‘Fire’ Masilela.
“That’s when I realised Sundowns is the right team for me.”
Downs have confirmed that tickets for the match are for free and that all the spectators have to do is go to their nearest TicketPro outlets to get one.
