Robert Marawa: Sundowns and Pirates make more money than Kaizer Chiefs

You know, when it comes to South African football, some things just don’t change, Robert Marawa said recently. Kaizer Chiefs will always make less money than Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. And I’m saying this, not because Chiefs don’t have fans — they have millions, passionate and loyal. It’s not about history either — Chiefs are a true institution. The real reason is simple: ownership, investment, and consistent success.

Marawa explained that Mamelodi Sundowns, even with Patrice Motsepe stepping down as chairman, still benefit from the family’s financial muscle and influence. They invest, they win, and sponsors see real value in putting money behind a winning brand. Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, have built a strong commercial machine with deals like Amstel, Vodacom, and even the R250 million stadium naming rights.

Chiefs rely mostly on sponsorships, merchandise, and ticket sales. Their league performance has been inconsistent, and in football, success sells. Sponsors follow success. That is why, for now, Chiefs will always lag behind in the money game, Marawa said.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS CONDEMNS THE BEHAVIOUR AND CONDUCT OF A FEW ILL-DISCIPLINED SUPPORTERS

Mamelodi Sundowns condemns the behaviour and conduct of the few ill-disciplined supporters who were disrupting members of the Sundowns Technical Team as they were leaving the stadium after the Sundowns and Al Hilal match.

Sundowns has always encouraged active supporter participation and engagement, which must always be done with respect and courtesy.

Mamelodi Sundowns will not tolerate any threats, illegal behaviour or intimidation by any of its supporters or fans at any of its matches. Appropriate legal or disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against those whose conduct is found to be illegal or contrary to the policies or rules of the Sundowns Supporters.

The Players and Technical Team of Mamelodi Sundowns are focusing on retaining the League Title and successfully competing in all cup competitions. This can only be achieved with the support and encouragement of the Mamelodi Sundowns Supporters.

Orlando Pirates winger Relebohile Mofokeng believes that, despite missed chances against Sekhukhune United, the team performed well and remains confident with strong support from their fans.

“If it’s not your day, it’s not your day. We missed many chances,” Mofokeng said via Pirates media.

“When I’m on the bench sitting there, seeing my players missing chances, I just said, Today is not our day. Then I came on, tried to create more chances but then the goalkeeper saved many chances.

“So, I think we did our best. We did very well for the start of the game. I think we did very well. We need our supporters because the second half of the season is very important to us to stay there, to stay number one.

“We need them because they’re the ones that motivate us. We’ll need them in numbers. We’ll make them very happy at the coming games.”

The supporters who assaulted Flemming Berg will face the consequences. The club is working closely with security and local authorities to identify the hooligans. The attackers will face legal action and be banned from attending games.

Mamelodi Sundowns supporters made it clear last night they have no problems with players hence they allowed the bus to take all players in but they waited to see Coach Cadoso and Flemming Berg. Flemming berg came outside and supporters addressed him in a proper manner hence he was rushed back to dressing room and alternative way were made for him to leave via back door in Loftus and Miguel Cardoso took the same route as Supporters waited until early hours of 00:00 this morning.

AMBIDEXTROUS NIGERIAN’S EXIT: A PURE BUSINESS DECISION AND NOTHING ELSE

The Towering West African central defender’s time has come to an end at Orlando Pirates and though it’s a bit surprising based of his overall quality, it’s not entirely shocking considering his long term injury history that has kept him more in the Doctor’s room more than on the pitch in the last two years. The Olisa Ndah’s case with regards to his injury-hit career at the club it’s one of the most unfortunate in world of football because when fully fit, he’s by far the best and arguably the most complete central defender in the league but the club had to make one of the most difficult decisions they have taken in the last decade by amicably partying ways with the Nigerian defender.

Football it’s business and the club made a pure business decision on the former Kano Pillars defender and I don’t think even his agency will have any bad word to say about the club with regards to how they have handled the injury-prone defender’s absence on the pitch.

NO EMOTIONS DETECTED IN IMPECCABLE CHABATSANE ADDITION

Certain players can be brought in and one can still sense emotions, greed and a signing just to kill competition but with regards to the signing of the outstanding Left-footed centreback Mpho Chabatsane, it’s very clear to see that the Club’s hierarchy did some empirical analysis during their external scouting research to know exactly the profile they are looking for in a player who can come and slot in the void left by Rolls Royce centreback Mbekezile Mbokazi after his departure to MLS.

The former Marumo Gallants defender is a one child rolled into many from the technical, tactical, mental and physical aspects. He’s a good passer of the ball with lot of precision either going shirt, long, through the centre of over the top finding runners in behind or out wide. Tactically, he’s very smart enough to know when to step up and when to drop off limiting distances between the lines. He’s a very strong boy in duels and hates losing any battle even though he’s not as flamboyant as Mbokazi. His left foot it’s of the highest quality and mentally very strong and stable. In the air, he’s very competent and solid on the ground and I don’t have any doubt that he will make immediate impact should he be called upon early into the team. Having a left footed centreback it’s of paramount importance because helps the team to build better providing good angles for passing lanes.

SALENG TO HELP DOWS GET SECOND STAR AFTER BUCS DEPARTURE?

There are two south African attackers that one can always rely on them to come clutch in big games and coincidentally, both demonstrated that in the colours of the Mighty Buccaneers. Thembinkosi Lorch and Monnapule Saleng are former Orlando Pirates players blessed with big match temperament to turn the game on its head and despite Lorch move to Sundowns not proving successful at the Brazilians, Saleng arrives at the time when Miguel Cardoso would want to go one step further in the Caf champions league after losing in the final last season and knowing his dynamism, creativity, speed and hardcore moments of individual brilliance, could just be exactly what Sundowns need to add the second star on their jersey.

Much will depend on how Miguel Cardoso will use Saleng and when used to his strengths, could give them what they expected from Tashreeq Metthews when he was brought in. From my side, I’m extremely happy for the boy to get back to the level that his talents deserves and as I said on few occasions previously, I didn’t really care whether Saleng gets an opportunity to play his football in Kaizer Chiefs’ gold and black jersey or the Yellow and Green of Mamelodi Sundowns. I would also like to thank everyone who made this deal happen for the sake of the boy’s career. To Mme Karabo Mathang-Tshibuse thank you for pulling off this one. In recent times I came very strong at you and should use the same energy to say thank you for the sake of Monnapule Saleng’s career.