Mamelodi Sundowns decision to sell M-Tigers explained

Sundowns agreed a deal with TUT FC for their Gauteng ABC Motsepe League franchise several months ago and, during the Business of Football networking session at the weekend, Berg was asked why. 

The view was that M-Tigers had the potential to continue feeding the senior team with players that could soon become household names with The Brazilians, as witnessed in the past. 

“If you are not good enough, at the age 17, 18, 19, or 20 years old to play in our first team – then you will never be. For us to have a reserve team in the third division, with players who are 24, 25 and 26 makes absolutely no sense," the former Chelsea scout said. 

"It was taking resources we could spend completely differently and much smarter."

M-Tiger at time also aided rivals pursuit of talent, as evidenced by players like Paseka Mako (Orlando Pirates), Thabang Sibanyoni (Richards Bay), and Kwanda Mngonyama (AmaZulu), who all came through their ranks. 

Berg argued that the official feeder team is now their own DStv Diski Challenge side. 

“Our reserve team is now the Diski team, who have gone from an average age of 20, two years ago, to now having an average age of 18.2 – and they will win that league, you can check with me on this in June,” added a confident Berg. 

“We have the best players, but they are very young and, of course, we struggle with that sometimes. But that’s what we believe in."

Sundowns are currently third on the table after 10 games in the DDC, a point behind log leaders and defending champions Stellenbosch FC. The Brazilians do, however, have a game in hand. 

READ: Berg explains role of Sundowns sporting director