Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Pavol Safranko has revealed the downside of his stint in South Africa during the 2021/22 season.
The Slovakian centre-forward was brought in to replace Mauricio Affonso who had departed the club at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
In an interview with this website, Safranko disclosed that the Brazilians were actively seeking a player who embodied the qualities of former Kaizer Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic, and they ultimately opted for him.
The 30-year-old spoke glowingly of South African football, indicating that he relished his time there despite his brief one-season tenure.
However, Safranko’s sole disappointment was to play behind closed doors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite not playing in front of crowds, Safranko sensed the profound love and passion for football that South Africa possesses.
SAFRANKO ON WHAT WAS HIS ‘DISAPPOINTMENT’ WHILE IN SOUTH AFRICA
“To be honest, I was there during COVID, so I didn’t really have experience of, for example, full stadium, you know,” said Safranko during the interview with FARPost.
“The most people, what we had was against, I think [in a match] against Al Ahly or Pedro de Luanda [in the CAF Champions League].
“I’m not so sure. I think against Al Ahly, when we play on the Kaizer Chiefs Stadium [FNB Stadium].
“So I think we didn’t have, I didn’t have experience with the full stadium. So, yeah, so this was a little bit disappointment for me.
“I wanted to play with the full stadium, you know, how is the real atmosphere. So I know, you know, people love football there.
“So this is one thing which moves this whole league and everything forward.”
During his tenure with the Brazilians, Safranko netted nine goals in 28 appearances across all competitions.
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