Leaving newborn babies for camp — Sundowns players detail sacrifices for crazy schedule

Over the past few seasons, Mamelodi Sundowns have operated under a relentless schedule that has taken its toll on their bodies and has forced them to sacrifice valuable time with families. 

Domestically, the Brazilians compete in the MTN8, Carling Knockout Cup, Nedbank Cup and the DStv Premiership, and on the continent they went to the semifinal stage of the Caf Champions League. This season their schedule was made more manic by competing across six competitions due to return of the knockout, making for three domestic cup competitions, and the Confederation of African Football of the African Football League, which Downs won. 

The Brazilians only exited the Carling early, in the opening round. They reached the Champions League semifinals, and the finals of the MTN8, losing on penalties against Orlando Pirates. They meet Bucs again on June 1 in the Nedbank Cup. Sunday's 2-0 Nedbank semifinal win away to Stellenbosch FC was Downs' 51st game of the season. 

Since the resumption of the campaign from the Africa Cup of Nations break in February, Sundowns have played 20 matches in all competitions. Their punishing programme continues on Wednesday when the newlycrowned, seven times successive Premiership champions visit Lamontville Golden Arrows at Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale before hosting against Royal AM at Loftus on Saturday. 

There is more though — Sundowns' players, including defenders Grant Kekana and Terrence Mashego, formed the core of the Bafana Bafana combination that won bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in the Ivory Coast in January and February.

Because of domestic and continental travelling, Sundowns players spend most of their time away from home. Kekana and Mashego said to meet the demands of their heavy programme they have to sacrifice spending time with their families. 

“We sacrifice a lot, especially with the schedule that we have. I remember when my son was born, I went to the hospital and the next day I had to go to camp,” Mashego explained. “It is difficult. He is eight months old now but I don’t think he knows me that much because I don’t see him a lot. I would say in a week, maybe I will see him twice, but those are the sacrifices we make.” 

Though it is not easy to be away from his young child, Mashego said it is important for him to work so that he is able to secure his future.

Kekana related a similar story explaining he was not there to accompany his son on his first day of grade one. 

“My experience is recent where my son started grade one this year and I couldn’t be there on his first day at school. I think at his age, now he finally understands that after every two or three days daddy has to go to camp and work so that he is able to go to proper schools. 

“We want our children have better things than we had, that’s the reason we are willing to go through all these sacrifices. It is for a good purpose and for their future. 

“As much as we would like to spend all our days with them, we know it is not going to be possible here at Sundowns. It is not something that we complain about, but it is something that we work with. 

“We try to make the most of the time that we get to see them.The other day I wasn’t in the team and before we reported I went to see him and it feels good because sometimes they just need you to come and give them a hug.” 

This situation is not going to slow down for the Brazilians, who last week wrapped up their seventh successive league title with six matches to spare, as they still have the African Football League (AFL) later in the year and the Fifa Club World Cup in 2025. 

Sundowns are left with seven matches to complete their season as they have six assignments in the Premiership and the Nedbank final at Mbombela Stadium on June 1 to play.