Mamelodi Sundowns face a fresh dilemma after they were cleared to compete in the inaugural African Football League [AFL] following an emergency Board of Governors meeting between the 32 Premier Soccer League chairmen.
The Brazilians now have to juggle a congested fixture schedule to be able to play in the newly formed competition.
With the Carling Knockout Cup kicking off next weekend, the same day they start their AFL campaign against Angolan giants Petro de Luanda on Saturday, their fixture has been rescheduled. The development means their Carling Knockout opener against TS Galaxy is rescheduled to Wednesday.
The dilemma, however, is that the South African champions will have to play that match without their national team players. Ronwen Williams, Mothobi Mvala, Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, and Khuliso Mudau are all traveling with Bafana Bafana.
The national team plays Ivory Coast on Tuesday night [9pm] in an international friendly, meaning they only return home on Wednesday. It is highly unlikely that the seven players involved with Bafana will be part of Sundowns’ team that plays in the Carling opener at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Sundowns cleared for AFL, but face fresh dilemma
Masandawana are already without several players who are out injured. They are sweating over the fitness of Thapelo Morena, Lesiba Nku, Lucas Ribeiro, Bathusi Aubaas, Abubeker Nasir, and Siyanda Nyanga.
It means they may have to field a weakened team for the new cup competition, missing over seven regular starters. Sundowns is one of eight teams selected to participate in the AFL. This is a new club competition launched by CAF president Patrice Motsepe.
The tournament will run from October 20, 2023, to November 2023 and will feature teams from the top-ranked leagues on the continent. Other participating clubs include Simba SC [Tanzania], Al Ahly [Egypt], Enyimba FC [Nigeria], Wydad Casablanca [Morocco], TP Mazembe [DR Congo] and Espérance Sportive de Tunis [Tunisia].
The winner will pocket $ 4 million [R75.6 million], while the runner-up will get $ 3 million [R56.7 million]. Semi-finalists get $1.7 million [R32.1 million], with all quarter-finalists receiving $1 million [R18.9 million]. Sundowns’ participation in the AFL is a major boost for African football. But it will also present some challenges for the club.
The Brazilians will have to play a lot of matches in a short period. And they will also have to contend with the loss of some of their key players to international duty. It remains to be seen whether Sundowns can juggle their commitments and succeed in multiple competitions this season.
African Football League Fixtures: Quarterfinal first leg Friday, October 20: Simba v Al Ahly, Dar-es-Salaam Saturday, October 21: TP Mazembe v Esperance. Lubumbashi Petro Atletico v Mamelodi Sundowns, Luanda Sunday, October 22: Enyimba v Wydad Casablanca, Uyo.
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