Michaelson Ntokozo Gumede

By Ntokozo Gumede

Journalist


Sundowns, not Pirates, have the best fans in SA – Pitso

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has responded to his counterpart Rulani Mokwena's claim that Orlando Pirates have the best fans in South Africa. 


This comes after Mokwena branded the Happy People as the best club supporters in the country.

READ: Rulani – Pirates have the best fans in the country

Mosimane, however, believes his Sundowns supporters are a different breed and are the trendsetters among other sets of club faithful.

“Sundowns supporters love to put up a show and many people follow after. I have seen that other fans have the drums now and I said ‘okay, good’. I have seen that other fans stay a little bit when the game finishes and they clap the hands like Sundowns supporters. It is a good thing because everybody joins in. If you started it, it does not mean it is yours, let the mood go through the country,” said Mosimane.

“The big one is when you lose and they stay, clap hands and sing when the team loses. Not everybody can do that, everybody goes after you lose. Our supporters stay with the deep heartfelt feeling of that we lost the match and I have to go to them. The best thing about that is that the players don’t feel afraid to lose a match in fear of getting abused after the game,” the Sundowns mentor adds.

Mosimane says the Masandawana faithful have done away with the abusive tactics, where fans often turn their backs on their team after a defeat. Instead, they lift them up in song and “Jingles” says this helps the players psychologically.

“That thing has been turned around in our team when the players lose the match, be with them so that in the next match they will appreciate that even if they lose, the fans are with them. The Sundowns supporters have brought a new culture, they started with the drum and I don’t know what they are going to bring now.”

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.