BIG SPENDING

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS MAY NOT HAVE ALWAYS GOT IT RIGHT IN THE TRANSFER MARKET, BUT THEY HAVE RESHAPED THE SOUTH AFRICAN SYSTEM IN THE PAST 20 YEARS.

- Mark Gleeson

There is a moment to which the dramatic change in the landscape of South African football can be pinpointed. It was when mining magnate Patrice Motsepe took the reins at Mamelodi Sundowns and began to flash the cash.

Such has been the impact of the billionaire's boodle on the business that the traditional powers have been squeezed out and Sundowns have begun to create a dynasty that will take some effort to topple.

It was in 2004 that Motsepe (right) now ranked among the 50 richest men in the world, increased his initial half stake in Sundowns and bought out all the shares. 

After that it was a slow process as he began to build a club that is now on a markedly different level to all its domestic competitors, continuing to break record after record in the transfer market.

He has become, at no small expense, the Roman Abramovich of South African football, injecting financial muscle into the game that astonishes perplexes and irritates his counterparts. Irvin Khoza calls him "The Man". The Premier Soccer League chair - and Orlando Pirates owner - probably calls him a lot of other things behind his back, too, as Motsepe has brought turmoil to the transfer market and killed off the cosy dominance Khoza and his Kaizer Chefs counterpart Kaizer Motaung so long enjoyed.

First, he enticed away Chiefs' long-standing first-choice goalkeeper Brian Baloyi with the temptation of a R100 000 salary, and he then pipped Chiefs to the services of Peter Ndlovu in mid-2004.

And he has been a thorn in the side of the rest ever since, even now after being elected Confederation of African Football president and formally handing control of the club to his eldest son Thlope.

The big spend started in reality a year before South Africa's hosting of the World Cup.