Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Concerns over Downs-heavy Bafana squad, transfers & more

Latest Mamelodi Sundowns news, including concerns that Pitso Mosimane has leaned heavily on Chloorkop for his first Bafana Bafana squad and Miguel Cardoso’s side have been handed an all-Swiss officiating team for their FIFA Intercontinental Cup date with Al Ahli.

Pitso’s heavy Sundowns raid raises fatigue fears in title race

Pitso Mosimane has named a Bafana Bafana squad heavily stocked with Mamelodi Sundowns players for this month’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, reigniting concerns that the club’s title defence could be undermined by fatigue.

The new Bafana coach, who replaced Hugo Broos earlier this month, trimmed his provisional 35-man group to a final 30 for South Africa’s Group D opener against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on September 26, followed by a trip to face Eritrea in Egypt on September 30 and a friendly against the hosts, Egypt, in Cairo on October 4.

Sundowns dominate the squad list. Ronwen Williams and Ricardo Goss were named among the goalkeepers, while Aubrey Modiba, Fawaaz Basadien, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi and Khulumani Ndamane make up a heavy defensive contingent. Themba Zwane was handed co-captaincy duties alongside Orlando Pirates’ Sipho Chaine, and Iqraam Rayners, Cassius Mailula and Tashreeq Matthews were all included in attack.

That scale of call-up is exactly what worried rivals late last season, when AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane warned that Sundowns’ relentless workload across the Betway Premiership, the CAF Champions League and international duty would eventually catch up with the Brazilians. The warning proved accurate, with Sundowns surrendering their title on the final day.

Swiss trio to officiate Sundowns’ Intercontinental Cup

FIFA has confirmed an all-Swiss officiating team for Mamelodi Sundowns’ FIFA Intercontinental Cup meeting with Al Ahli Saudi FC, a fixture that carries an added personal layer for new Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane.

Sandro Scharer has been appointed referee for the clash between the CAF Champions League holders and the AFC Champions League Elite winners, kicking off on Saturday, September 19, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. He will be assisted by fellow Swiss officials Stéphane De Almeida and Jonas Erni.

Scharer, an international referee since 2015, took charge of last year’s UEFA Nations League final between Portugal and Spain and was one of the officials selected for this year’s FIFA World Cup. The winner of Saturday’s tie advances to face either Mexican side Deportivo Toluca or the South American champions in the semi-final, with holders Paris Saint-Germain already through as European champions.