Following an emergency meeting with the Premier Soccer League’s Board of Governors, Mamelodi Sundowns has been given the green light to participate in the African Football League (AFL).
Sundowns will represent South Africa at the lucrative AFL, with the tournament set to kick-off on Friday 20 October until 11 November 2023 and will feature teams from the top-ranked leagues on the continent.
The winner set to walk away with an astonishing $4 million (R75m) in prize money.
Participating in this tournament, however, will come at a cost for Masandawana who must juggle competing in the DSTV Premiership, Carling Black Label Cup (which kicks off on Wednesday 18 October against TS Galaxy) as well as the CAF Champions League, so squad depth will definitely be tested.
“We have to go game by game and see how far it will take us, you’ve already seen this season, without complaining, we’ve gone through so many games already. We reached the final with so many injuries, that’s because we’ve got depth in the team. A lot of praise has to go to the club for the investment and the work that was done in the transfer window to put together such a strong squad.” said Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena.
All eyes will be on the squad Mokwena will announce for the cup fixture against Galaxy, as he is missing several key players some are on international duty with Bafana Bafana whilst other are still nursing injuries.
Players who are on international duty: Themba Zwane, Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala, Grant Kekana, Teboho Mokoena, and Aubrey Modiba.
Players nursing niggles: Thapelo Maseko, Thapelo Morena, Abubeker Nasir, Siyanda Nyanga, Sipho Mbule, Bathusi Aubaas, Peter Shalulile has also been added to the list with a hamstring injury.
African Football League Fixtures:
- Quarter Final first leg Friday, October 20: Simba v Al Ahly, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
- Saturday, October 21: TP Mazembe v Esperance, Lubumbashi, DRC
Petro Atletico v Mamelodi Sundowns, Luanda, Angola - Sunday, October 22: Enyimba v Wydad Casablanca, Uyo, Nigeria
