Mamelodi Sundowns chairperson Tlhopie Motsepe wants to see the late Stanley “Screamer” Tshabalala’s Shoe-Shine and Piano style charming millions of fans at the Fifa Club World Cup in the US next year.
Sundowns have already qualified for the lucrative tournament. They are guaranteed a sugar-coated R1-billion in participation fees in the tournament. Tshabalala was buried at the West Park cemetery’s Heroes Acres in Johannesburg on Thursday. His funeral was attended by the big names in the world of sports and politics.
The young Motsepe mentioned that they want to keep Tshabalala’s legacy, which he started at Sundowns in the late 1980s, alive at the much-anticipated Fifa Club world Cup next year. Sundowns qualified for the tournament after amassing enough points. This was when they reached the semi-finals of the Caf Champions League.
Take his spirit to the Fifa World Cup
“We know that football evolves, and we have our ancestors and our roots. So, when we go to the Fifa Club World Cup, we want to make sure that the Shoe-Shine and Piano is expressed. And that it is shown in a modern way to the rest of the world,” said Motsepe at Tshabalala’s funeral.
“This will motivate our players and staff to take advantage of the opportunity of the culture of football. To take this culture… that he built and try share that with the world. On top of that, it is truly about every single day and not just about the Club World Cup. It’s about the academy, about the development, youth leagues, the women’s teams. We need a Screamer Tshabalala in women’s football and leaders like him in youth football. His legacy lives on in football.
“The true blessing of Bra Stan [Tshabalala] was the fact that his presence was felt throughout so many football clubs. We will thank and remember him for the incredible mark he left at Mamelodi Sundowns. Through his Shoes Shine and Piano style.
One of the best seasons in club history
“The message I want to give to Sundowns supporter is what I always say at the start of every season. And also at the end of every [season]. To thank them for their support and to tell them that we are going to need them. Like each and every season. What’s happening at the club is that we are in the process of trying to make sure that we are in the position possible to make this one of the best seasons in our history.
“Mohamed Ali once said that train hard and fight easily. And if you look at the quality of the opponents we have been facing in these pre-season matches – they are respectively strong and challenging clubs. So, the results we are seeing now is us setting ourselves nicely. This against the caliber that we may find ourselves playing against in the Club World Cup. So that when we get there, we are ready,” he added.
I’m motivated by mr Motsepe’s speech and hope to see my team proceeding with their good football display.