Lesufi demands Tshwane Metro to handover HM Pitje stadium

Lesufi tells SABC Sport, as the provincial government, this is one of their top priorities.

"The only thing that's a snag is I don't want to invest in something that doesn't belong to me. So we want the municipality to turn over the stadium to us so that we can build it. We've got the budget and we are ready to build", he said. 

The last time HM Pietjie Stadium was utilized was in 2005 when it was renovated as a potential training facility ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Because of its poor construction, the stadium could not be ready for the event and could not be used by the community or local clubs.  Lesufi says the Tshwane Metro needs to hand over the stadium to the provincial government for the work to commence. 

"We don't want to build something beautiful and someone later comes and says 'Bring it back, it's mine'. So we need to agree on those things and also if Sundowns wants to utilise it we need to have that private/public partnership. But we are ready. And I think the stadium will be up and running if we avoid these small talks" 

CAF President Patrice Motsepe revealed plans to assist develop HM Pietjie stadium as the Brazilians' ancestral home a few years ago in his previous post as Sundowns President. SABC Sport understands red tape prevented Sundowns and the Motsepe Foundation from assisting, as they also presented a 100-year lease option to expedite the process. Lesufi reveals that conversations with the Motsepe Foundation have been resumed, and they are all working together on the new project.

"I've had discussions with the [Motsepe] family and are ready. It's just that there were political turmoils in Tshwane, so now that there's stability, I'm hopeful that we will fast-track it. But the stadium will be up, we just need to ensure that we agree on basic things."