Fikile slams claims crediting PSL club to Bafana’s success
A team effort or not? Fikile Mbalula – a proud Buccaneer – has slammed suggestions that Sundowns are behind Bafana’s Afcon success.
While South Africans are celebrating Bafana Bafana’s advancement to the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) quarter-finals, Fikile Mbalula has voiced his disapproval at reports that Mamelodi Sundowns players are behind the achievement.
The former sports minister – who is an ardent Orlando Pirates supporter – criticised a news agency for making the suggestion.
More than two-thirds of the Afcon national team play for the PSL club, which billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe owns.
SA will face off against Cape Verde in the quarter-final on Saturday, 3 December.
FIKILE MBALULA NOT FEELING SUNDOWNS PLAYERS IN BAFANA?
According to an AFP Op-Ed, Bafana coach Hugo Broos will rely heavily on the nine Sundowns players drafted to play against Cape Verde in the Afcon quarter-final clash.
They are:
- Ronwen Williams
- Aubrey Modiba,
- Mothobi Mvala,
- Grant Kekana,
- Khuliso Mudau,
- Teboho Mokoena,
- Themba Zwane.
- Evidence Makgopa,
- Thapelo Morena.
The opinion piece crediting Sundowns reads: “It is something that gives South Africa coach [Hugo] Broos an obvious advantage over many of his counterparts, who saw most of their players leave their clubs in the middle of the European season and have just a few days to train together before the AFCON began.”
Taking offence to the article, Fikile Malula tweeted: “Spain won the World Cup with 8 Barcelona players in the squad. And yet I have never seen such a headline in Spain after the World Cup.”
Spain won the world cup with 8 barcelona players in the squad,And yet i have never seen such a headline in spain after the worldcup. https://t.co/v2l9iXVLWV
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) February 2, 2024
Naturally, the former minister was called out over his outspoken views.
@SibaAtSea: “The fact that Sundowns players did the work cannot be denied.”
@tahbryce: “You wanted them to play for ANC?”
@b_sigidi: “Stick to looting state coffers with your comrades.”
@RyanSchutte03: “Minister of Own Goals… just worry about railway infrastructure.”
‘PIRATES SUPPORTER THROUGH THICK AND THIN’
Fikile Mbalula has made no secret that he is a die-hard Orlando Pirates supporter.
He once tweeted: “I don’t respect people who change allegiances when their teams are facing challenges. I’ve been a Pirates supporter through thick and thin. Please stay with your club.
I dont respect people who change allegiances when their teams are facing challenges,I’ve being a pirates supporter through thick and thin please stay with your club please.
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) January 16, 2021
And just like many Buccaneers, he also has a fierce rivalry with Sundowns.
We beat sundowns today up the bucs🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) October 22, 2022
