SuperSport United CEO Stanley Matthews stated his reasonable approach to player transfers, stating that he would have sold defender Kegan Johannes to any club offering a deal as compelling as the one from Mamelodi Sundowns.
SuperSport United CEO Stanley Matthews stated his reasonable approach to player transfers, stating that he would have sold defender Kegan Johannes to any club offering a deal as compelling as the one from Mamelodi Sundowns.
This comes in the context of a recent trend where Matsatsantsa, has seen several of their key players move to their Tshwane rivals, Sundowns. The list includes prominent names like Ronwen Williams, Grant Kekana, Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba, and Thapelo Maseko.
Despite these significant transactions, Matthews clarified that his decisions are driven by business interests rather than any special relationship with Sundowns, implying that if other clubs like Orlando Pirates had shown interest in Johannes, he would have been equally open to negotiating a sale.
“If any club offered me a deal that Sundowns offered me for Kegan Johannes I would’ve grabbed it without blinking,” Matthews said.
“And I can’t be apologetic about doing the best deal for my club (SuperSport United). I’m sorry it happens to be Sundowns but at least we getting to a phase now where the team is pretty fond of my players.
“So, maybe we can share the love and not just that. I’m saying where is Patrick Maswanganyi?
“He is not a Sundowns, where is Thalente Mbatha? He is not at Sundowns. Where is Selaelo Rasebotja? He is not at Sundowns.
“So, for me, I’m trying to do the best deal that I can for my football club and if Sundowns happen to be the best deal, then that’s great for my football club.
“And if another club comes and offers me the best deal, I’ve to be true to my club. I’m not true to another brand in the PSL.
“I’m true to two brands PSL and SuperSport that’s it. So, for me, there is no special relationship with Sundowns.”
Matthews has also referred Bafana ba Style as the Real Madrid of the PSL while he compared his side as Tottenham Hotspur.
“I’ve got immense respect for Patrice DR Motsepe the president of Caf. I’ve got respect for Thlopie (Motsepe) and I’ve got respect for the club (Sundowns) any club that wins seven league titles in a row in any league and anywhere in the world deserves a doffing of the cap.
“And a salute because we did it three times (winning the league) and it was the most amazing thing in the world.
“They (Sundowns) have done it seven, so hats off to them. But they are Real Madrid and I’m Tottenham Hotspur that’s how it is.”
