Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
Country: South Africa
Coach: Miguel Cardozo (Portugal)
Captain: Ronwen Williams
Group: F
Opponents: Ulsan Hyundai(Japan), Dortmund (Germany) and Fluminense (Brazil)
Mamelodi Sundowns’ Fixtures, kick-off dates, times and venues
Matchday 1: Tuesday, June 17
Ulsan HD vs Mamelodi Sundowns (Orlando, Inter&Co Stadium – 18:00 EDT/22:00 GMT)
Matchday 2: Saturday, June 21
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Borussia Dortmund (Cincinnati, TQL Stadium – 12:00 EDT/16:00 GMT)
Matchday 3: June 25
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Fluminense (Miami, Hard Rock Stadium – 15:00 EDT/19:00 GMT).
Mamelodi Sundowns will enter the USA with mixed feelings after winning the Betway Premiership in South Africa and narrowly losing in the finals of the CAF Champions League to Egyptian side Pyramids.
The Brazilians will have the opportunity to sell their beautiful football to the world after arguably becoming the team in Africa that plays like Barcelona and Manchester City. Pitso Mosimane laid the club’s solid foundation, which was completed by Rulani Mokwena, who left at the end of the last two seasons.
The South Africans will fancy their chances against the Japanese side Ulsan Hyundai and the Brazilian club Fluminense. Their fixture against German club Dortmund on paper is a big one, but the belief and confidence they have had over the years can help them get something out of it.
Portuguese head coach Miguel Cardoso’s short stay at the club has seen the Masandawana reach the finals of the CAF Champions League for the first time since winning it in 2016. Cardozo has lost the finals of the CAF Champions League on two successive seasons and will look forward to making amends in the USA with Sundowns.
The club’s huge investment in players like Chilean midfielder Marcelo Allende Bravo, Brazilian duo Arthur Sales and Lucas Ribeiro, South African duo Tashreeq Mathews and Iqraam Rayners is expected to blossom in the club’s World Cup.
The team’s core of South African internationals, including Ronwen Williams, who caught the world’s attention with his penalty-stopping skills, passing, and command during the 2023 AFCON, centre back Grant Kekena, right back Khuliso Mudau, and the powerful box-to-box Teboho Mokoena, are all expected to repeat their solid performances for the club in the competition. Experienced stars like Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile are in the squad to offer calmness to the team.
They are the African team that has been investing hugely in their playing squad, per Transfermarkt.
Mamelodi Sundowns have been dubbed local champions by rival fans even though they are now the club from sub-Saharan Africa to stand toe to toe against the North African big boys. They can shut down their rivals with decent displays in the USA.
Mamelodi Sundowns squad
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Denis Onyango and Reyaard Pieterse.
Defenders: Mothobi Mvala, Divine Lunga, Aubrey Modiba, Thapelo Morena, Mosa Lebusa, Keanu Cupido, Grant Kekana, Khuliso Mudau and Malibongwe Khoza.
Midfielders: Neo Maema, Siyabonga Mabena, Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, Marcelo Allende, Jayden Adams, Bathusi Aubaas, Tashreeq Matthews and Sphelele Mkhulise.
Forwards: Peter Shalulile, Lucas Ribeiro, Arthur Sales, Lebogang Mothiba, Kutlwano Letlhaku and Iqraam Rayners.
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