Sulking over Mamelodi Sundowns’ massive spend on players for the DStv Premiership won’t help dethrone the Tshwane giants, writes Menzi Magubane.
It is a fact that Sundowns is one of the richest clubs in Mzansi, which is why they attract quality players. It pains me to hear other clubs saying Masandawana are splashing their cash to be successful.
My question is: what is stopping them from doing the same? I think they are barking up the wrong tree here.
Yes, Downs have money and they are not afraid to spend it, but it’s not only the money that makes them dominant. The club is good at investing in both the players and the technical team.
They are the only club in the country that has had the same coaching staff for more than five years.
Pitso Mosimane laid the foundation when he joined them in 2012 after resigning as Bafana Bafana coach. Having Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena as his assistants saw the rebirth of Sundowns that we see today.
Personally, I think teams like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates who were the big boys in the 70s, 80s, 90s and early 2000s should start looking at the bigger picture – and stop living in the past.
Yes, they are still the big clubs in the country but being stingy won’t get them anywhere, which is true of every team in the premiership. If they want to challenge Sundowns they must understand that to make money you must be willing to spend money.
The chopping and changing of coaching staff won’t get them anywhere either.
A quality player costs a lot of money and Sundowns aren’t afraid to pay what it takes. If other teams can start digging into their pockets the Premiership will stop being a one-team show.
Already this season Sundowns are to be crowned the champions of Mzansi for the sixth time in a row and 13 in the PSL era.
Most teams have succumbed to the fact there is nothing they can do to stop the Sundowns bullet train.
Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns
Image source: @Masandawana
