Mamelodi Sundowns supporters had an opportunity to watch their team training on Thursday morning ahead of the all-important CAF Champions League quarterfinal second leg match against Petro de Luanda at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Brazilians, who have been hard at work doing roadshows as part of the marking for the match, welcomed hundreds of supporters at Chloorkop.
Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday ahead of the match, co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi is of the view that allowing fans at training sessions might also help deal with perceptions that certain players are played with merit.
“To be honest I think it’s the best decision, I don’t want to lie to you,” said Mngqithi.
“I have seen it with many European teams and I think it brings a sense of ownership on the side of the spectators because they have seen the preparations and they don’t take things for granted. Already they start assuming this might be the starting line-up, this player might start or not.
“When I was growing up, I used to watch AmaZulu when they were training in Durban. A few times I went to see them training they would have 5000, 10 000 supporters in training and that had a very big impact on a number of people that were supporting football at that time because a number of people had this sense of ownership,” he added.
“At times they get disappointed, at times they get satisfied that he (a certain player) even played better than what we have seen at training. So, a sense of ownership from the spectators is very important. There are a few things that I think in our football if we can bring in, they will add value in terms of improving our supporters, and the support in the matches.
“For me to have our supporters here it also takes away some of the perceptions, you know as supporters they always think they can do what players do. They always think ‘Nah I think I can play better than this one’. But if they have to go through what the players go through then they start having a little bit more respect to say ‘ey you know I was not aware why the coaches are using this boy but hey in training he really does well,” he said.
“It’s a noble initiative if it’s not spoiled by supporters wanting to be inside the pitch and also wanting to be part of the game, then it’s a problem.”
