Mamelodi Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe has given Bafana Bafana players words of encouragement ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations opener against Ivory Coast this afternoon.
Bafana are due to take on the Ivorians at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo at 16h30, looking to make a good start in the competition. Ahead of their clash, Bafana were visited by SAFA president Danny Jordaan, Sports and Recreation minister Nathi Mthethwa and Motsepe, who is confident the team can do well in the competition.
"The minister brings lots and lots of luck and that's why his presence here, in terms of good energy and historical blessings, is very important. And of course thanks to Danny and everybody who is here from the leadership of football," Motsepe said.
"There's nothing that I can say that has not been said, but the two things is that you arrived here because of hard work and huge sacrifices and you proved it to yourselves, the country, as well as to people all over the world…nobody did you a favour. You've made us so proud and everybody in South Africa is 100 percent behind each and everyone of you, those who will play and those who might not play. But I just want to say that everyone here is part of history, part of South African history. We are so confident. Implement what the coach told you and we will win.