Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Thlopie Motsepe insists they sign players to help them realise their dreams and not necessarily to weaken other teams in domestic football.
Masandawana have over the years won battles with other rivals to sign the best players available in the market, due to their strong financial muscle.
The latest arrival is Bafana Bafana left back Terence Mashego from Cape Town City.
The move has been met with criticism, with the club being branded as intentionally weakening competitors, given the fact that Sundowns had three quality players who play in the same position before Mashego’s signing.
Downs co-coach Rhulani Mokwena was also quoted as saying the left-back was not a position they thought needed to be strengthened but couldn’t allow an opportunity to sign a Bafana Bafana international pass as he was offered to them by the Citizens.
WHY PLAYERS WANT TO PLAY FOR SUNDOWNS
Speaking to the media during the handover of a multipurpose sports court in Soshanguve in partnership with Nedbank on Monday, Motsepe said players chose Sundowns because they want to improve.
“I don’t know where the criticism comes from in that regard, you know,” said Motsepe when asked by journalists.
“Players want to come to Mamelodi Sundowns because Mamelodi Sundowns is a place where they can improve themselves and achieve their dreams in football.
“We had the blessing and opportunity (on Sunday) to welcome an incredibly great player and say well done to an incredibly special player in Hlompho Kekana.
Motsepe added: “When Hlompho Kekana was at Mamelodi Sundowns he was playing and competing with Teko Modise, Tiyani Mabunda who is here with us.
“So, iron sharpens iron and the fact that these good players want to come to Mamelodi Sundowns is because they want to achieve their dreams and want to improve as players.”
