Mamelodi Sundowns started their quest for the Peace Cup’s whopping winner’s prize of R14-million with 1-0 victory over Spanish La Liga giants Real Sociedad at the Daejon Stadium in South Korea on Saturday.
Despite the dream start, Sundowns deputy CEO Jose Ferreira is still not a happy man.
”All we see in the South African media,” spitted Ferreira, ”is reams and reams of space on the Vodacom Challenge.
”Well, the Peace Cup is 15 times bigger than the Vodacom Challenge, with world-class teams competing instead of the moderate clubs from Africa who are basically leftovers from their own countries.”
Ferreira may have a valid point. Competing alongside Sundowns in the tournament in South Korea are clubs of the calibre of French champions FC Lyon, Argentinian giants Boca Juniors, Holland’s PS Eindhoven and England’s Tottenham Hotspur.
The Vodacom Challenge, in the international context, is strictly low-key, with local glamour clubs Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates competing against the DRC’s A.S. Vita and Zambia’s Green Buffaloes. The tournament kicks off at Mmbatho Stadium on Sunday.
Ferreira, meanwhile, enthused over the sparkling second-half goal from Godfrey Sapula that sent Sundowns to the top of their group in South Korea, with other teams in the group, Boca Juniors and Tottenham Hotspur, drawing their opening game 2-2.
And indicating that Sundowns are in no way over-awed in this august company, Ferreira revealed that coach Angel Cappa intended utilising a totally different combination against Spurs on Monday to the one that gave Real Sociedad their footballing lesson.
”We’re looking to scoop up some glory from the Peace Cup and a lion’s share of the prize money that will go with it,” said the Sundowns deputy-CEO, ”but this is also a pre-season team-building operation and all the 23 players in the squad will be given an opportunity of demonstrating their wares.”
And Premiership Spurs don’t frighten Sundowns either — no matter which of the 23 players they will be fielding. – Sapa