Sundowns coach on return of spectators

With the Premier Soccer League having now permitted venues to allow 50 percent capacity for matches, the response has been underwhelming.

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi who has recently questioned the delay in the return of fans to stadiums prior to more restrictions being relaxed, said Downs fans have been the exception.

"To be honest I would not want to be negative on the issue of supporters because ours, the yellow nation have been good to us, they have been coming in numbers to support us from day one, from champions league matches that we have played we™ve had a very decent crowd" said Mngqithi

"I think this one is a little bit special for [the supporters] because they missed out on last season's celebrations!" - @coach_rulani reacts to last nights title-clinching game at Loftus! ?? https://t.co/vbx9DDzVVm#Sundowns pic.twitter.com/px0pYccm19— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 28, 2022

The 51 year-old Sundowns mentor said he understands why their rivals fans are staying home, however he expects to see his side's fans in droves when they visit Kaizer Chiefs for a DStv Premiership clash on Sunday at 17:30.

œI don™t want to lie we are well supported, our supporters come in numbers.

I can tell you now even at FNB Sunday they will come in numbers and I would really love a situation where we would be even more than Kaizer Chiefs supporters" Mngqithi added

In-form Sundowns utility player Aubrey Modiba says he has relished seeing supporter back after his debut season was under the strict regulations.

"For me it has been good because ever since I got to Sundowns I never have experienced that until now when the supporters came back to the stadiums and (yah) there's been a great atmosphere in stadium" Modiba explained

The 26-year-old said the first time fans were back he had goosebumps:"they have been coming up in numbers especially in the Champions League and some of our home games they have been pushing us you could feel the goosebumps when we were playing against Cape Town City last few minutes the way they were singing the way they were cheering you could feel that they missed being in the stadium and supporting the team"

By Mazola Molefe