Mamelodi Sundowns will tomorrow complete a full month since returning back for pre-season and coach Pitso Mosimane’s men are slowly regaining their match fitness having been tested in several friendly matches so far.
The Brazilians first began at Chloorkop as the group got back together having last played Free State Stars on May 11 at Goble Park in Bethlehem, a game which they won narrowly by 1-0 but was enough to make sure they retain their Absa Premiership title – with Phakamani Mahlambi coming off the bench to score the only goal of the game.
As Mosimane continued to put them through their paces, Sundowns travelled to sunny Nelspruit and ended that trip off with a 1-1 draw against National First Division outfit TS Sporting.
The Brazilians then returned to Gauteng, but geared up for another trip, this time outside the boarders of SA where they had lined up friendly matches with Botswana sides with Jwaneng Galaxy and Morupuleng Wanderers.
It’s there that Mahlambi was in his element again as he put his name on the scoresheet with Masandawana running riot to prepare for their opening league match against Tshwane rivals SuperSport United on August 3 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
‘Phaka’ as Mahlambi is affectionately known, scored Downs’ only goal in the 1-1 stalemate played against Jwaneng on Saturday. And then Sundowns faced Wanderers a day later and managed an avalanche of goals as they romped to a 5-1 victory that would have pleased coach Mosimane.
Mahlambi bagged a brace while striker Ali Meza, Thapelo Morena and Lyle Lakay each got on the scoresheet once to make it an emphatic tally for the Brazilians. Mahlambi joined Sundowns last season from Egyptian giants Al Ahly and appears to be making the most of his first ever pre-season with Downs ahead of the new 2019/20 season as well as a return to the CAF Champions League.
The club will continue with their pre-season training in Zambia following a change of plans from the initial scheduled trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo to face CS Don Bosco and TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.
Congrats to Phaka for getting his form. I
hope he will take that
form into the season.
Plz Pitso dont loan
out Mobbie keep him
in the team , he can play as a centre back
I wish the people who
are dealin with players coming in &
goinng. out must do
that to help sundowns eg Thendo
Mukumela must be loaned for 2 seasons
to Black Leopards.
Malebogo Modise , S
Mkhize & Keletso Makgalwa to Bloemfontein celtic.
P Mkhuma , C Maluila
Rachoene & S Msani to Chipa United For
2 season K Khubheka
to Maritzburg united.
This is our own poduct we must protect it . Pitso
promoting 3 player
wont hurt the team
consist of @ least 8
over 30 players
No young players must play now not later now
Ali should remain in the team and needs to be given enough chances to prove why, he was bought all the way from South America into Africa. His good quality without a doubt.
With the understanding of language between the 4 Southern American boys I think we have a winner in all of them.
Hopefully Laffor remains fit for the entire league program to give our couch a greater headache than his on…
The rest of the squad is always on point Jali hopefully can let his talent, keep the critics on the hush hush.
We getting started very well Yellow nation. Lets keep the ryhthm n hopefully retain OUR title.
Ladecima
In Sundowns we have no doubt about talent, outside field issues are the ones that affect the players. Professionalism must lead every player. Self discipline is key to professional football. Professional players must not behave like us who play social sunday morning soccer.