His dazzling footwork and eye for a killer pass made him a fan favorite, and he contributed to the team’s relentless pursuit of trophies. Even after hanging up his boots, Sapula’s passion for the beautiful game remained undimmed. He transitioned seamlessly into coaching, bringing his experience and knowledge to nurture the next generation at the Mamelodi Sundowns Academy U-17 team between 2011 and 2017. Currently, he coaches the MTigers in the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League, a stepping stone for promising young players.
The midfield marshall also shared what he believes is the Club’s secret to sustained success and winning multiple titles.
“Many high-quality people are working at the Club and the success is evident both on-and-off the pitch. When I joined the Mamelodi Sundowns, President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe made us believe in the vision of the Masandawan. The current Chairman, Tlhopie Motsepe echoes the same message and encourages us to work hard. At Mamelodi Sundowns, giving 100 percent is never enough. This is why everyone is motivated to strive for excellence every day, whether they are on the field or behind the scenes,” he added.
Sapula earned 26 senior international caps for South Africa and described what it meant to play for Bafana Bafana. “It is always a dream to receive a national call-up. I played in a position where South Africa had lots of talents like Doctor Khumalo, Eric Tinkler, etc. I also remember playing with the likes of Benni McCarthy, Shaun Bartlett, Thabo Mngomeni and so on. My debut was against Gabon; I came on as a substitute and never looked back after that,” he added.
When asked about which piece of advice he would give to young aspiring footballers, the Sundowns legend stated, “Go for your dreams! Pursue them with lots of commitment. Football requires not only talent but also hard work, dedication and belief in your abilities. Stay focused, keep improving and never be satisfied with mediocrity,” Godfrey concluded. Godfrey Sapula Fun CornerThe funniest teammates he shared a dressing room with: Peter Ndlovu and Surprise Moriri (who are both colleagues now).The career path he would have taken if not for football: Beyond football, I have an interest in interior design and electrical engineering. I was good at maths and science.If given a blank cheque, the three players in world football he would have in his team: Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Kevin De BruyneGreatest African footballing legend of all time: Jay Jay Okocha and Lucas Radebe, for their incredible skills and impact on the game.Favorite food: A hearty meal of chicken, spinach, and potatoes hits the spot for Sapula.Musical Tastes: Sapula enjoys the smooth sounds of R&B and Soul, with a special love for Afro-pop.Film Preferences: Crime movies captivate him, particularly classics like ‘The Heat’ featuring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.Travel Favorites: For relaxation and adventure, Zanzibar and Mauritius are his top choices.Godfrey Sapula’s All-time Sundowns XI: When asked about his All-time Sundowns XI, Godfrey Sapula asked for a couple of days 😂 before coming up with his team. While he highly regards several outstanding players who have represented and still represent the Mamelodi Sundowns, the following could only make his star-studded team:
Starting XI: GK: Denis Onyango DF: Michael Manzini DF: Themba Mnguni DF: Lovers Mohlala DF: Khuliso Mudau MF: Teboho Mokoena MF: Roger Feutmba MF: Godfrey Sapula ST: Themba Zwane ST: Surprise Moriri ST: Daniel Mudau
Substitutes: Ronwen Williams, Mbulelo Mabizela, Hlompho Kekana, Sizwe Motaung, Ernest Mtawali, Esrom Nyandoro, Peter Shalulile, Raphael Chukwu, Teko Modise, and Percy Tau.
Find the full team in the image below.
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