Patrice Motsepe, Founder and Executive Chairman, African Rainbow Minerals during the Milken Institute Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (Credit Image: © Prensa Internacional/ZUMA Wire)
Patrice Motsepe lauded for his role in taking Sundowns to the top
Patrice Motsepe took charge of Mamelodi Sundowns in 2004 and has since ushered in an era of unprecedented success at the Tshwane club.
Patrice Motsepe, Founder and Executive Chairman, African Rainbow Minerals during the Milken Institute Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (Credit Image: © Prensa Internacional/ZUMA Wire)
Former Mamelodi Sundowns general manager, Peter Koutroulis has praised the club’s chairman Patrice Motsepe for taking Masandawana to new heights since taking charge.
The sky is the limit for Patrice Motsepe and Sundowns
Sundowns have been a force in South African football for many years, but since Motsepe took charge of the club in 2004 they have lived up to the club motto of ‘the sky is the limit’.
Since the mining magnate, Motsepe took charge of the club they have won the Premier Soccer League title six times, lifted the Caf Champions League trophy once and won five domestic cup trophies.
Sundowns are undoubtedly the South African team of the century so far, and Motsepe must take a good deal of credit for that. Under Motsepe the club brought in Pitso Mosimane who has cultivated a culture of success at Chloorkop.
In good hands
Koutroulis says when he looks back, he is happy to have placed Bafana baStyle in the hands of Motsepe.
The former GM of Sundowns says he is still very attached to the club and wishes them the greatest success in the future.
“You can’t forget about the club that you made your name at,” Koutroulis told Soccer Laduma.
“It’s like your ex-wife, if I may put it that way. I can’t forget that club. I still talk to Roger Feutmba, Daniel Mudau, Eric Ramasike and many other former players. We communicate, and I still love Sundowns.”
Koutralis went on to hold positions at other football clubs, most recently being appointed as Chippa United’s CEO before his dismissal from that role at the end of 2018. He says he remembers his time at Chloorkop fondly and is delighted with the success the club have achieved in the years since his family relinquished control of the team.
“The good thing for me and my family is that Sundowns has done well since my family gave the club to Mr Patrice Motsepe. Mr Motsepe improved the club and nobody can take that from him – what he has done for the club and what he is still doing for the club,” said Koutroulis.
Motsepe expands sports portfolio
Motsepe has not been content with his stake in Mamelodi Sundowns and recently acquired a stake in another prominent Tswhane sports team in the Blue Bulls rugby franchise.
The blue herd will no doubt hope that with Motsepe’s input the Bulls can become as dominant a force as Sundowns, who often play at the famous rugby ground Loftus Versfeld.
