New boy Mauricio Affonso finally got a taste of South African football when he put on the Mamelodi Sundowns shirt in a pre-season friendly against TS Sporting, a match that ended 1-1 in Nelspruit on Saturday.
The South American has joined Sundowns on a five-year deal and has already been getting a feel for playing for the defending Absa Premiership champions having met coach Pitso Mosimane and joined the squad almost immediately after he signed for the Brazilians last week.
“I am excited and I think I am adjusting well so far. The coach gave me 45 minutes and I almost got a goal as well,” said Affonso.
“What is important for me now is working on my fitness, but I feel I am well on my way there because I never stopped training during the off season. I believe my teammates will push me as well because the level of skill here is very good and being with them in Nelspruit was a good way to get to know everyone and see for myself the professionalism of all the players here.”
The 27-year-old managed four goals and two assists in his final eight games for his Peruvian First Division outfit, Club Alianza Lima, before he took the big step to move to South Africa and join Sundowns.
“I feel a little bit more settled now. I have found where I am going to stay and I can’t wait for the season to start so I can contribute to the team’s success. I have also spoken to the coach about what he expects of me this season,” the lanky striker added.
Affonso said he has set himself some personal targets that he feels are achievable even though this will be his debut season for the Brazilians.
“I have looked at the scoring record of previous top goal scorers for the club and it is very impressive. So I hope to be part of that history. And I want to experience the continent as well because I have heard a lot of stories, but I want to see it for myself when the season starts,” he said.
I wish Offonso the best in his endervous in the PSL with the highly decorated calibre of Mamelodi Sundowns.
Welcome home, solve that missing link my man. There is a lot at stake my brother during this season for the Yellow Machine this season
Please Mr Affonso just score 22 goals for our club during the season in you we believe # mamelodi Sundowns Nelspruit Supporter
We welcome u to the home of champions,Morie.Wishing u all the best hoping that anything u touch turns into gold.May you help us clinch the most elusive trophy in our history,the MTN8,we r also pleading all soccer gods to help us in this vooodooo cup.Kaboyelo Masandawana
I think with you, our missing link is solved and our created scoring opportunities are going to be capitalised. I wish you all the best of luck in our mighty SUNDOWNS. KBY4LIFE.
Welcome and all the best in the home of Champions
We welcome you to the home of champions. Looking forward to seeing you this season.
What happened to TK
Let the season begins I can’t wait I foresee VAT ALLES and all the best to those associated with this brand.KBY I remain.
Welcome home boy,
We love u . Aclimatise to the condition of South Africa & punish our
opponents # Tenth league must come
Hi to all Dawana family I’ve been missing you a lot fellow members hope even this season our opinions or comments about Downs will also be respected like before.
Today I just read Laduma newspaper where its says We want Billiat back and Downs is prepared to make Him the highest paid player at Downs and my worry is that what led him to move to Chiefs because the President wanted to avoid unsettle dressing room if they gave him whatever he wanted so now if he comes back what will happen to the dressing,pls don’t get me wrong Billiat is a star and I like him a lot but my worry is the division that will be created,anyway lets watch da space,Kby forever
We must not recycle players its not a good feeling we should move on the next Star of his(Billiat) calibre will appear in our mist. It will be worst decision should this story be true and happens and will be unfortunate to us as supporters after what he wrote on Social Networks abt our coach. It sound sooo unreal.
Come on member who on earth believes Soccer Laduma? sales are down just marketing strategy
To the President,I read the painful story about pitso leaving us.i could not help but think of those years when we used to get a new decorated coaches from abroad, they achieved nothing.then came pitso and things started to happen at chloorkop. 4 psl titles,telkom,caf champions league title,super cup… Now you want tech director why? I see Downs going back to those years mentioned above.does the President want that for downs? Why fix something that is not broken? Pls keep pitso we do have any respect for the so called knowledgeable ppl from abroad they previously failed to make Sundowns what it is today. Nyiko ( Mr B)
Like!! Thank you for publishing this awesome article.