With Mamelodi Sundowns compelled to have their shortest pre-season ever, club legend Brent Carelse has opened up on whether the side will be affected.
While rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in advanced stages of their pre-season regimens, Sundowns are yet to return to training following their extended 2024/25 season due to taking part in the FIFA Club World.
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Ideally, professional teams require at least six weeks of pre-season training, including friendly matches, before starting a new campaign.
The Tshwane giants, however, will have just under two weeks of pre-season, as they are only scheduled to return to Chloorkop for medicals on 21 July.
Their MTN8 quarterfinal against Richards Bay FC is scheduled for Sunday, 3 August, while the league season will commence the following weekend.
Will the league champions be affected at all?
"Yes, look, I think definitely, it will affect them. It's a little bit unfair for players at Sundowns because they are not getting enough rest, you know," stresses a concerned Carelse.
"And obviously, as supporters and fans of the Beautiful Game, we want to see them at their best, so they need to be well rested, come back and start the new season.
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"Unfortunately, because of the competitions they are in and the level of competitions they play, they are always going to be busy. It's a problem worldwide at the moment, where a lot of players are getting fatigued, they are playing too many games.
"I think now with the Club World Cup, the conditions… it was very hot and all of those things. I just hope they come back well rested and start again. But definitely, they needed more rest," added the School of Excellence product.
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