Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Cele move like Saleng’s? Transfer updates & more

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Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Cele move like Saleng’s? Transfer updates & more

Latest on Mamelodi Sundowns news in the last 24 hours, including CAF Champions League opponent, Pitso Mosimane warned by Miguel Cardoso, Thabo Cele’s move analysed, and more.

Sundowns learn their CAF CL opponents

South Africa’s representatives in CAF inter-club competitions – Sundowns, Pirates and Chiefs – now know the opponents standing between them and places in the group stages.

Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, have been paired with Zambia’s Red Arrows in the CAF Confederation Cup, Durban City will face Mauritian outfit AS Port Louis in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup after overcoming Burundi’s Rukinzo 3-1 on aggregate.

Pirates booked their passage with a 3-1 victory over Le Cure Waves SC at home on Saturday. The Buccaneers advanced by the same aggregate score after a goalless first leg in Mauritius. Their reward is a meeting with Namibian champions African Stars.

Mamelodi Sundowns players.
Mamelodi Sundowns players. Image: Mamelodi Sundowns

Reigning African champions Sundowns will begin their continental campaign against Angolan side Wiliete SC. Wiliete swept aside Seychelles outfit Foresters FC 5-0 on aggregate to secure their place in the second preliminary round.

Mosimane to struggle?

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says the gulf in football facilities quality between South Africa and Morocco will continue to widen.

The South Africa senior men’s national team is dominated by Betway Premiership players, especially from Orlando Pirates and Sundowns. After recently being confirmed as the new Bafana coach, Mosimane picked up from where his predecessor, Hugo Broos, left off. Trust in locally-based players has continued.

But Cardoso says the poor pitch conditions could affect the level of the local game, with a knock-on effect on the national side. He says that could make Mosimane’s job difficult, as he compares local facilities to Morocco’s.

The North African country continues to spruce up its stadiums, especially ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which they will jointly host with Portugal and Spain.

“I remember that after the World Cup, South Africa said that they would reduce the distance from Morocco, but no, not with these conditions,” said Cardoso in his post-match interview on SuperSport TV.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso.

“The distance from Morocco will increase more and more because Morocco understood that conditions to play football bring better games, increase the level of the players and allow the national team to get better.

“There is a hell of a job for Mr Pitso Mosimane to do in the future, if the best teams continue to play on these pitches. It’s not proper to play football.”

Sundowns showing Chiefs & Pirates dust?

Mamelodi Sundowns’ high-profile signings have increased their total squad market value, with rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, in comparison, not coming close to the Tshwane giants’ financial might

Cele signing like that of Saleng and Lorch?

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger turned football analyst, Junior Khanye, says the recent signing of Thabo Cele by Mamelodi Sundowns reminds him of the excitement that was there when the African champions signed Thembinkosi Lorch and Monnapule Saleng.

Allowing Cele to leave might turn new coach Fernando Da Cruz against the club’s supporters, as the Chiefs management announced that they terminated “Induna ye ndawo”‘s contract because he does not fit into the 2026/2027 tactical plans of the French coach.

“With Cele, Sundowns are taking chances, to be honest; his situation will be exactly like that of Bathusi Aubaas,” Khanye told KickOff.

“Where is Cele going to play there at Sundowns? They have Teboho Mokoena there. Even the likes of Siphelele Mkhulise are struggling for game time at Sundowns. A top-notch player. Their own product. Sundowns also have Marcelo Allende.

Thabo Cele
Thabo Cele of Mamelodi Sundowns in training

“It’s going to be difficult for Cele at Sundowns. If he failed to rise at Kaizer Chiefs, how is he going to succeed at a star-studded Champions League team? The boy knows football, but he doesn’t have a strong character.

“This whole excitement surrounding Cele’s signing reminds me of the time they signed Saleng and Lorch. Cele’s situation is going to be the same.”

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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