In a typical township setting, Mamelodi Sundowns can be compared to a privileged 'cheeseboy' who goes to the finest schools, wears clothes that cost more than their neighbour's Toyota Tazz and is spoiled by his rich parents.
Sundowns players are the Rolls Royce of the Premier Soccer League, both on and off the pitch. Although the club’s monthly payroll is a closed book – Downs stars are by far the highest earners in the country.
Patrice Motsepe had to relinquish his position as president of the club when he ascended to the highest office of the Confederation of African Football in 2021.
The mining magnate and astute businessman has always been ready to fuel money into football through the Motsepe Foundation, which sponsors South Africa’s National First Division and has also donated about $ 10 million (approximately R186,501,060) to grassroots developments on the continent.
Motsepe has explained why Downs players are well-imbursed but has also thrown caution against reckless spending, advising footballers to think beyond their playing days.
Patrice Motsepe reveals why he pays Mamelodi Sundowns players well 💰💼 🤑🇳🇬 Tella #GSAVideo pic.twitter.com/M01Srlw3JB
— GOAL South Africa (@GOALcomSA) April 16, 2024
Sundowns are known to dangle money as part of their recruitment strategy as they have lured players like Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena from SuperSport United and had stars such as Kermit Erasmus and Terrence Mashego moving from Cape Town City to Chloorkop.
The defending DStv Premiership champions are now linked with Stellenbosch’s young sensation Jayden Adams.
Masandawana have also made it a tradition to dive into the South American gold mine and extract the incredible talent of Gaston Sirino, Marcelo Allende and Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who is leading the race in the PSL Golden Boot.
This is a model that Motsepe wants every African team to adopt in an attempt to minimize the export of African talent to overseas leagues, as Europe is the most attractive destination for many footballers.
READ: Manqoba Mngqithi discusses his future with Mamelodi Sundowns, reveals agent
“We believe that there is exceptional talent in Africa and if we develop it, we should be able to pay them very good salaries. The players, the coaches and the employees at clubs,” Motsepe said in a press conference held during his state visit to Angola.
“The young Africans go to Europe and South America, and some go to the United States of America because they receive more money there.
“Football is a short career, and whilst you play you must make as much money as possible and I encourage them to take some of that money to invest it for when they no longer play football,” Motsepe added.
The 62-year-old has always been keen to expose African football to the world as he brought European giants Barcelona to Mzansi to play Sundowns in 2007 and 2018.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast rewarded the Indomitable Lions with a whopping $7 million (about R131,742,030 in today’s exchange rate). This was the highest prize money this competition has ever paid out.
