Mamelodi Sundowns will squeeze their pre-season into just under two weeks after the PSL’s confirmation of their first competitive match of the new season.
Sundowns will be at home at Lucas Moripe Stadium against Richards Bay FC on Sunday, August 3, in the last of the four MTN8 quarterfinals.
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The Brazilians will play this match having had the shortest pre-season ever as they are only back on July 21 after their 2024/25 season stretched until the end of June.
This was due to their participation at the FIFA Club World Cup in USA.
The consequence of this is that by the time they report back, their biggest rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will have completed their pre-season camps in the Netherlands and Spain respectively.
Miguel Cardoso has given his players three weeks off ahead of his first pre-season at the club.
This has been an ‘active’ off-season for the players depending on how much they loaded throughout the 2024/25 campaign, which came with 56 matches and extensive travelling.
After playing in the MTN8 last eight, the Tshwane giants will switch focus to the start of the Betway Premiership the following week as they aim towards their ninth title in a row.
They will also be involved in the CAF Champions League, Carling Knockout, and the Nedbank Cup.
Sundowns are yet to do any inward transfer business but have until September 22 to do so.
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The league champions have so far confirmed that Rivaldo Coetzee, Lebohang Maboe, Sanele Tshabalala, Thabang Sibanyoni, Sifiso Ngobeni, Lucas Suarez, and Sipho Mbule will all not be with the club in the new season.
There are pending issues relating to Etiosa Ighodaro, Abubeker Nasir, Thembinkosi Lorch, Ismail Watenga, Siyanda Msani, Terrence Mashego, Matias Esquivel, Thapelo Maseko, and Kobamelo Kodisang.
Photo: Eurasia Sport Images
