The SA football fraternity is mourning the death of former Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Angela Tsichlas, who passed away after he was involved in a motorcar accident in Pretoria on Tuesday night.
Angelo was married to Natasha Tsichlas, who was known as the “Iron Lady” of SA football. Natasha was the managing director of Sundowns, while Angelo became the chairman. Natasha is a long serving Safa NEC member and also vice-president. The Tsichlas family sold the Sundowns status to SA mining magnate and now Caf president Patrice Motsepe in 2003.
Motsepe expressed his heartfelt condolences on the passing of Angelo, a former joint owner of Sundowns, with the famous Krok Family. Motsepe bought the club from the Tsichlas family before he relinquished it to his son Tlhopie Motsepe, after he took over as Caf president in 2021.
Motsepe was travelling outside the African continent when Natasha Tsichlas briefed him on the passing of her husband Angelo.
Said Motsepe: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Angelo Tsichlas who was an outstanding football administrator and a close friend. My heartfelt condolences to Natasha and the Tsichlas Family. Angelo, Natasha and the Tsichlas Family will always have a special place in my heart and in the hearts of the Motsepe Family and the Mamelodi Sundowns Family.
“We will all support and comfort the Tsichlas Family during this painful and difficult period. Angelo and Natasha made enormous contributions with the Krok Family and before them Zola Mahobe to the development and growth of Mamelodi Sundowns. We are all immensely grateful to them for laying the foundations for the current success of Mamelodi Sundowns. Angelo Tsichlas will forever live in our hearts and minds. May Angelo Tsichlas’ Soul Rest in Peace.”
Former Sundowns star Lovers Mohlala was also shocked and still trying to deal with the devastating news.
“I still cannot believe that Angelo is gone. I am happy to have had him as chairman of the club during our playing days. He was a funny guy, sometimes he would be aggressive, but he was a good guy overall. He would threaten us and tell us that he would take our salaries, but he never did that all.
“We did not celebrate him when he was still alive. I wish we did that because his contribution to SA football is massive. Look at where Sundowns is today, they are a massive brand because of Angelo and his family. They paved the way for Patrice Motsepe. I have great memories of him and his wife Natasha. God has taken him, he is in good hands and may he Rest In Peace.”
