by Dzudzie Faith Netshisaulu
A celebration of a life well lived and another of a great achievement, these are two emotions Mamelodi Sundowns team and the Yellow Nation had to go through on Tuesday as they laid one of their own to rest and then lift the DSTV Premiership trophy later in the evening.
Sundowns were crowned DSTV champions for the 2022/2023 season, their sixth consecutive championship, on Tuesday evening at Loftus. They were handed the trophy and a R15 million winners’ cheque at Loftus on Tuesday evening, a few hours after burying their long serving communications officer Alex “Goldfingers” Shakoane. News broke last week that Shakoane had passed on following an illness. He had been involved with the club from its formative years in the 1970s. Shakoane died at the age of 74.
The Sundowns team and management led by club chairman Thlopie Motsepe and former president Patrice Motsepe, joined mourners, supporters and the football fraternity in Mamelodi for his funeral service. The Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi was also in attendance.
The celebration of Shakoane’s life and contributions to the club was continued throughout the evening at Loftus as the club played video clips and memorabilia, while songs from the Yellow Nation kept the stands buzzing. Sundowns chairman Thlopie also presented a gift to Shakoane’s children at half time.
This was Sundowns’ last match of the season; their football activity however continues on Saturday when they host face Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca on Saturday’s CAF Champions League semi-final second league at Loftus. Kickoff is at 3pm.