Johan Neeskens, the coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, found himself requiring a police escort after facing backlash from the team’s supporters following a defeat in the South African first division championship. The former Dutch football legend was subjected to insults and threats from fans who demanded his dismissal after Sundowns’ 0-1 loss to Maritzburg.
Currently, Mamelodi Sundowns holds the 11th position in the championship after three rounds, securing 3 points with a single victory. The team’s supporters are growing increasingly frustrated with the situation, and the Dutch coach is under pressure to deliver results in his second season with Sundowns. Last season, Neeskens fell short of winning the National Cup title, finishing fourth, six points behind the leader. Similar threats from supporters have previously led to the dismissal of coaches such as Henri Michel and the Spaniard Antonio Lopez.
Mamelodi Sundowns, considered South Africa’s flagship club, has fans as demanding as their president, Patrice Motsepe, often referred to as the “Roman Abramovich of Africa.” This nickname reflects Motsepe’s generous investment in the club, recruiting top-quality players and high-profile coaches, similar to the wealthy Russian owner of English club Chelsea. The high expectations from both the fans and the club’s leadership intensify the pressure on coaches like Johan Neeskens to deliver positive results.
