Mamelodi Sundowns have explained their decision to move their MTN8 semifinal second leg fixture against Orlando Pirates to Polokwane in Limpopo.
Masandawana have been drawn against their bitter rivals Pirates for this year’s MTN8 semifinal. The first leg is scheduled for Orlando Stadium on Saturday, 1 October.
The defending champions have now moved the second leg, scheduled for Saturday, 22 October at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Long serving club administrator Alex Shakoane says Sundowns is like a national team that attracts a huge support base across the country and therefore they needed to take matches to the people.
SHAKOANE’s SUNDOWNS CLAIM
“When you talk about Sundowns you are talking about a national squad wherever we play is our home,” Shakoane told the media.
“Wherever we play we outnumber the host team in terms of bounce on the seat.” He was speaking during the multipurpose sports court handover together with Nedbank on Monday.
“Sundowns supporters, once you mention the name Orlando Pirates, we all have sleepless nights.
“It’s easy to motivate our players once you say Orlando Pirates. You don’t need the technical staff to talk to them, they motivate themselves.
“The only thing that the technical staff will have a problem with is to pick the right players on the day,” said the veteran PRO.
Meanwhile, speaking at the same Sundowns chairman Thlopie Motsepe echoed Shakoane’s sentiments.
“We definitely want to try and spread football across the country as much as possible. This is a category A game where a lot of supporters from both sides are in that region and I am sure they would love to see the game.
“Obviously it’s about making sure that our supporters across the country get to see a nail-biting, top-quality game between two very talented teams which hold a very special game in their hearts,” said Motsepe.
