Current Betting Odds
Sundowns 5/2
Draw 28/10
Barcelona 8/10
This is set to be the second time Masandawana host the Spanish giants – the last occasion was in 2007 when a Ronaldinho-inspired Barca side won 2-1.
Also involved for the Catalan club that day were Samuel Eto’o and Deco, with the likes of Surprise Moriri, Godfrey Sapula and Brian Baloyi featuring for the Tshwane team.
League champions Sundowns announced the possible showcase match last week, but there was talk that it might not go ahead as the game has been pencilled in to take place on May 16, which is still in the PSL season as the Nedbank Cup final takes place on May 19.
In the past, Ajax Cape Town were denied permission to host Liverpool for this reason.
But the PSL believe this case is different as the proposed Barcelona match will also tie in with the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebrations.
The league released the following statement:
“The Premier Soccer League (PSL) received a request from Mamelodi Sundowns to play an international friendly match against FC Barcelona.
The match has been arranged to form part of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebrations.
The League has always followed the same approach in respect of friendly matches in particular when these will (or might) impact the League or Cup competitions.
This request however was of extraordinary nature in that it formed part of the Madiba Centenary Celebrations.
Moreover, it had both direct support both of sponsors Nedbank and Government in light of the nature and importance of the event and the part football plays in bringing South Africans together.
The Executive Committee of the League granted the requested subject to compliance with all of the relevant requirements of CAF and FIFA and also on the express basis that Mamelodi Sundowns will comply fully with every requirement of SASREA.”
