By the time the 2023/24 season becomes a thing of the past, Mamelodi Sundowns would have participated in close to 60 games across all competitions.
Sundowns were involved in the African Football League, which added six games to their normal calendar.
The DStv Premiership is a 30-game long league, while the Carling Knockout could only accommodate Sundowns in one game as they were booted out by TS Galaxy in the round of 16.
Downs reached the MTN8 final, which was four games and next up, Rulani Mokwena’s team will play Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final, that being five games under that competition.
Sundowns’ quest for African glory saw them play 12 games in the Caf Champions League, from the qualifiers to the semi-finals, culminating in the taxing tally of 58 games.
With that comes a lot of traveling, and of late, the clubs have resorted to using chartered flights more, to make getting by the African continent a little easier.
This comes with a lot of commitment and sacrifices, which differ from player to player.
Defender Terrence Mashego, who was a father for the first time last year, could not enjoy the first few days of fatherhood as Sundowns’ call rang louder than a baby’s cry.
“We normally sacrifice a lot, especially with the schedule that we have,” Mashego said.
“When my son was born, the next day I had to go to camp. It has been difficult. Even now I don’t think he knows me that much.
“He is eight months old but, in a week, maybe I would see him twice. Those are the sacrifices that we have to make, especially for his future. It is important for me to work hard so that he has a bright future,” he added.
His teammate, Grant Kekana, whose mileage and that of Mashego was increased by South Africa’s participation in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, takes a leaf from American rapper Eminem’s 2004 Mockingbird hit.
The musician, real name Marshall Mathers, speaks about being away at work for longer periods, trying to give his daughter the life he never had.
“My experience is recent. My son started Grade 1 this year and I could not be at his first day at school.
“At his age, he finally understands that every two or three days ‘daddy has to go to camp, daddy has to work’ so that he is able to go to proper schools.
“At the end of the day we want our children to have better than what we had and that’s the reason why we are willing to go through the sacrifices that we go through for good purpose and their future.
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“As much as we would love to spend more days with them, we know that it is not possible, especially here at Sundowns. It is not something that we complain about but it is something that we work with.
“We try to make the most of the time to see them. The other time I was not in the team and before I reported I went to go see.
“The little time that we get to spend with them, we make the most of it and it makes missing them better when you get to see them,” said Kekana.
The 31-year-old regular Bafana Bafana defender doubles up as a trusted centre-back at Sundowns while also carrying the tag of being the ‘clown’ in the team.
Kekana is quite popular on social media, where he is seen teasing his teammates, such as in this video where he troubles Themba Zwane, forcing him to do the once-famous vosho dance.
@papa__tsitsi Young vosho from Shikabeezy🤣🤣🤣o ka se bowe🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️
♬ original sound - grant kekana
This is done to encourage camaraderie and keep the chemistry flowing, which according to Kekana, translates to matters on the field.
“We know how demanding it is when you get on the field, so we try to make everyone feel at home and we forget about the stresses [outside football], especially when we are in the changing room.
“We all know what is expected of us once we get on the field, so it is good to have that balance in the team.
“It gets us to know and understand each other as individuals, and it makes it better to have that understanding once we get on the field,” Kekana explains.
Kekana and Mashego will be among those who will put their hands up for a starting berth against Golden Arrows on Tuesday evening at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale.
Kick-off is at 19:30.
