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Mamelodi Sundowns have a Venezuelan, an Uruguayan, a Brazilian and an Argentinian player, and once had a Colombian. Coach Pitso Mosimane tells Daniel Mothowagae why his team has become home to players from South America
South America is well represented at Mamelodi Sundowns.
The latest recruit, Mauricio Affonso from Uruguay, arrived at Chloorkop to an already strong band of Latinos that includes his compatriot Gastón Sirino, Brazilian Ricardo Nascimento, Argentinian Emiliano Tade and Venezualen José Alí Meza.
Coach Pitso Mosimane said cultural similarities were key factors that appealed to most of the South American players who ended up playing in South Africa.
He drew similarities between the informal settlements in the country and the shanty towns of South America, known as favelas.
“Most of the players in South America come from the favelas, which is a township environment. Coming from a poor yet humble background means they know how to survive. And I’m not bringing them to a country that is going to lower their standards,” Mosimane told City Press.
Beyond culture, he said, Sundowns provided an alternative for these players as they could not break into the top teams that regularly competed in the Copa Libertadores, which is ranked as one of the most prestigious club competitions in South America.
“We have invested in a programme that helps us to see all the leagues in South America. And I can’t say I started the trend, but just revived it,” said Mosimane.
Sundowns had over years established themselves as the biggest importers of South American players.
The Brazilians had somewhat revived the trend once associated with Moroka Swallows, which used to ship players from the western hemisphere, thanks to the influence of their former Chilean coach, the late Mario “The Godfather” Tuani.
Since mining magnate Patrice Motsepe took over Sundowns ownership 16 years ago, a significant number of players from South America have been recruited.
José Torrealba and Leonardo Castro left a lasting impression in Sundowns jerseys.
“Our [club] profile is big enough to attract players from that part of the world because we play regular CAF Champions League football.”
Mosimane said they went only for special talent for specific positions and individuals who could adapt to the complex playing patterns at Sundowns.
The process was a joint exercise between the club’s scouts and analysts, he said.
Mosimane does not rely only on the information from his team of analysts and scouts – he personally travels to the place to get a feel for the environment where his new talent had played.
He admitted that importing players did not come cheap, yet they were not ridiculously expensive either.
“For top talent, you have to pay. But we paid a lot of money to get [Lebohang] Maboe from Maritzburg United and Vila [Sibusiso Vilakazi from Bidvest Wits],” said Mosimane, without revealing the figures.
“In South America, we are not buying from [top clubs] Flamengo, Boca Juniors or Santos [in Brazil]; they sell to Man City, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool.
“We go to a lower market because some of these players dream of playing Copa Libertadores in Africa, which is the CAF Champions League.
“Well, Sirino played Libertadores with his former team Club Bolívar [from Bolivia] and Affonso played in the tournament against River Plate of Argentina in a game that convinced me he can help us here.”
Mosimane, who confirmed the signing of another foreign striker, Habib Kyombo from Tanzania, said he was well aware of the accusations that Sundowns were harming local talent.
“People will say we are busy with foreigners and that we are killing the local guys, but Sundowns had five players in Bafana – Lebo Maboe, Hlompho Kekana, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Themba Zwane and Tiyani Mabunda at the Afcon in Egypt.”
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