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The partnership between the University of Pretoria and Mamelodi Sundowns has been renewed, and AmaTuks are set to benefit more from this programme, with players from the Brazilians' reserve team set to join them.
The partnership between the two Tshwane sporting institutions was signed about four years ago, just before CAF President Patrice Motsepe left the club’s leadership in the hands of his son Tlhopie Motsepe.
"We've built this partnership with Sundowns over the last five years. Our deal contains different elements ranging from coaching education, providing bursaries, and so forth," explained Kenneth Neluvhalani.
SABC Sport understands that in this second term of the partnership, Sundowns expect to be more involved and are pumping in huge resources to make this project work.
"We want to be in a position to put the best and most competitive team on the pitch. For now, we are simply striving to put together an exciting and competitive team, and if we manage to clinch promotion, well, that will be a huge bonus.
"We always try to focus internally as a club and as a business. Yes, we have relationships with many organisations and clubs, but we are focused on our own project," said Ball proudly.
Newly appointed AmaTuks head coach Kwanele Kopo, a product of the varsity sports himself, says this is a deal that will benefit both entities equally, on and off the field...
"I know there are a few players from the Mamelodi Sundowns DDC set up that will soon be graduating, so we'll be looking to sign a few of those players on loan.
"This partnership is a win-win situation, we get to benefit from the Sundowns youth system, whilst further developing the younger players, so as to provide them with a clear pathway to a successful career in professional football."
Sundowns officials were also in attendance during the announcement of Kopo as the new coach at AmaTuks, and interestingly, someone like David Notoane, a transition coach at Sundowns, has also worked extensively with Kopo in the junior national teams.
Kopo, a former SuperSport United head of academy, fully understands this kind of relationship and the benefits of working with Sundowns DDC players.
