There was no other time to play Barcelona – Motsepe

The international friendly, which will be played at FNB Stadium, is scheduled within a PSL season as Maritzburg United and Free State Stars still have to play in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday, May 19 in the Mother City.

READ: Barcelona to bring full strength team to SA

Motsepe said all that had to be done as there was no other opportunity to play the five time Uefa Champions League champions, who already have Italian giants AC Milian and AS Roma, and English side Tottenham Hotspurs lined-up for pre-season friendlies.

“If we didn’t bring them now, we would had to wait for many years… and we don’t want to bring any other team. South Africans are very ambitious people and we have to try and bring them the very best,” said Motsepe.

“Barcelona have got a tight schedule, and they are some of the biggest football teams in the world that have created partnership and made agreements to make sure that Barcelona visit their countries,” he added.

Sundowns had to postpone a Caf Champions League group stage match against Guinea side Horoya AC, which was to be played a day before the Barcelona clash.

READ: Barcelona confirm Sundowns clash