The Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa exit the Club World Cup with pride, convinced that they have left a lasting impression on the international football community.
The club, which has its roots in a black township established during apartheid, concluded their group stage with a goalless draw against Brazilian heavyweights Fluminense, following a victory over South Korea’s Ulsan and an exhilarating 4-3 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
On the eve of their match against Fluminense in Miami, the Sundowns organised a community outreach event for underprivileged youth in a park close to Fort Lauderdale.
As he observed former players and club staff coaching the children, chairman Tlhopie Motsepe contemplated the significant impact the tournament has had on the club’s profile.
“Being part of the Club World Cup has been an incredible experience, and as an African team representing our continent on such a grand stage, it has filled us with immense pride. We have felt an overwhelming sense of support from our homeland. This competition has provided us with a global platform,” he shared with AFP in an interview.
Motsepe, who is the son of prominent South African entrepreneur and president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Patrice Motsepe, highlighted that the Club World Cup indeed enhances the international recognition of teams outside Europe, a reality his club can attest to.
The chairman noted that the Sundowns’ domestic achievements, encompassing 18 league titles and consistent participation in the CAF Champions League, have garnered them admiration in South Africa and respect across Africa. However, he remarked that the past fortnight has helped elevate their global reputation and significantly boost interest on social media.
Worldwide Recognition
“Before our arrival here, interest from supporters in Europe or South America was quite scarce. We have a social media team that monitors our engagement and traffic sources, and it was noticeably minimal from those regions,” he explained.
“Yet, I’ve heard European analysts discussing our football, and Brazilian fans interacting with our posts. For us, as a South African team from a township, to receive such recognition due to our style of play and perspective on the game has been an astonishing surprise,” he added.
Although Motsepe’s aspirations for the Sundowns to triumph over Fluminense and advance to the knockout stages did not materialise, he believes the team has promoted the foundational ethos upon which the club was established.
“Our club originated in the townships of Mamelodi, founded by two doctors who aimed to give back to their community,” he stated.
“Being here now, knowing that we were established during apartheid 55 years ago, with our motto being ‘the sky is the limit’… it has always been about using football to inspire our fellow South Africans and Africans to dream big and not be constrained by their environment or circumstances,” he continued.
This vision took the Sundowns to Mills Pond Park, where, in collaboration with partners Roc Nation Sports International, they engaged with the local community by offering children the chance to interact directly with them.
“We can share our message and demonstrate through football that one should be bold and not impose limits on themselves; you can compete with the best,” Motsepe remarked.
“It’s been a remarkable journey, and we have a unique opportunity to showcase to Africans, and indeed people from diverse backgrounds across the globe, that you can compete and deserve recognition if you have a story and identity to share with the world.“
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Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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