SA’s Mamelodi Sundowns FC, affectionately known as Masandawana, had a few firsts to celebrate this year but this is a big one. The team is roping in its fans to celebrate its inclusion in EA Sports’ FIFA 23.
We haven’t forgotten – Sundowns thrashed Orlando Pirates 4-0 this past weekend and became the new Carling Black Label Cup Champions.
The top PSL team partnered with Mettlestate for the Mamelodi Sundowns FIFA23 Championship. It plans to swap soccer boots for game controllers during the online tournament set for a finale at rAge Expo, at the Gallagher Convention Centre, from 9-11 December this year.
“Many of the people in our football club are fans of the FIFA series and are aware of the passion that South African gamers have towards the video game,” says Tlhopie Motsepe, Mamelodi Sundowns Chairman.
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Sundowns says there will be four live qualifiers set to place in malls across South Africa, as well as an online qualifier for those who can’t make the live events.
The top eight finale at rAge will be made up of the top player from each live qualifier and the top four players from the online qualifiers.
This marks Sundowns’ entry into esports.
“Traditional sports and esports overlap in more ways than most people realise. FIFA23 is the perfect example of this,” says Mettlestate’s Managing Director, Barry Louzada.
Winners stand to take home cash. Lots of it.
𝘾𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝘼𝙇𝙇 𝙁𝙄𝙁𝘼 𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙔𝙀𝙍𝙎!
Register for our R200K FIFA23 Championship! Reminder: You can register online or qualify in store! Online registration closes 25 Nov! 👆
Visit our website for information and click the link to register: https://t.co/uY5gtBwWAx pic.twitter.com/PEdNVLVfZY
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) November 16, 2022