Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Why star is in SA despite lack of game time, Chiefs & Pirates advised and more…

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Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Why star is in SA despite lack of game time, Chiefs & Pirates advised and more…

The latest on Mamelodi Sundowns in the last 24 hours, including Thabang Matuludi’s inclusion in Bafana Bafana despite a lack of game time, the Soweto giants Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs advised how to reach Masandawana’s level, and more.

Why Sundowns star is in Bafana team despite lack of game time

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has provided clarity on his selection of Mamelodi Sundowns defender Thabang Matuludi despite his lack of game time.

Matuludi recently joined Sundowns from Polokwane City and played his first game of the season when Sundowns faced Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

He was, however, named in the Bafana squad before even turning out for his new employers, which raised eyebrows among many football lovers in the country who said Matuludi did not warrant a deserved call-up. ‘Jingles’ has since explained why he chose Matuludi even before he played a single match this season.

“Well, sometimes you need to have a little bit of Sangoma next to you, right, to predict and tell you what you should do, and I know that somewhere somehow somebody’s gonna say ‘why are you picking a player who’s not playing right? We do our research. I’ve watched him,” Mosimane told the media.

“I know he’s been training the whole pre-season. He has played a few friendly games in the pre-season. I don’t get involved in the other stuff that clubs do. The players belong to clubs. We should respect the clubs. We should also respect the coaches at their respective teams.

“But a national team player is a national team player, right? And also, it’s important that the players must know that if they train and they’re doing things well, and we are watching; we know what is happening.

Thabang Matuludi
Thabang Matuludi of Bafana Bafana, Image: SAFA

“We don’t just arrogantly choose a Matuludi because we want to put a Matuludi, and unfortunately, as a coach, you know how it is. You guys tell after, right? If he was right or wrong, and if he’s wrong, we know that we’re gonna get the grill out of it, right? And if we are right, that’s why we are coaches. So yeah, we do our research. I’ve followed Matuludi all the way.

“Ever since I’ve been given the opportunity to be a Bafana coach, I’ve just researched everything and everywhere long before I signed the contract. I don’t want to sound smart here. Matuludi was in the World Cup, right? So, what am I saying to you, he was already there.

“The previous coach had him, so I think we should give credit to the previous coach for having him in the team. And yeah, that’s it. So thanks to the boy who played in a cup final on Saturday, I think it was a decent performance to show that he’s a decent player and he needs to fight for the position,” Jingles concluded.

Basadien dedicates his medal to late teammate

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Fawaaz Basadien has dedicated his FIFA African-Asian-Pacific gold medal to his late teammate Jayden Adams.

Sundowns stunned a star-studded Saudi Pro League side, Al Ahli, 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium over the weekend to win the trophy and also qualify for the Challenger Cup, where they will meet Toluca or the champions of CONMEBOL.

Basadien told the media after the triumph how happy he was that the team could honour Adams in a good way.

“I walked up to receive my medal, and I went down and sat there, and I spoke to Cash [Cassius Mailula] and Iqraam [Rayners],” said Basadien.

“And I told them this one is for Jayden because we knew that Jayden is someone who loves to win things, and especially in football.

Jayden Adams Stellies tribute

“And we knew coming into the game already, our coach and the technical staff, and as well as the teammates, we said this one, we’re doing for Jayden.

“So, I’m just happy and grateful that we won and we could honour him in a good way.”

Chiefs, Pirates & Co. advised on how to reach Sundowns level

Mamelodi Sundowns legend Roger Feutmba says it requires money and proper planning for other clubs to reach the level the African champions are at right now.

Sundowns has now become a sort of global team after competing in international tournaments like the FIFA Club World Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

“Sundowns is bringing South African football to the big stage; their players are exposed to international football, which will obviously benefit the national team,” Feutmba tells KickOff.

“In the whole world today you can’t talk about African football without mentioning Mamelodi Sundowns. Of course, to reach the stage of being a global team or brand, you need money.

Nuno Santos of Mamelodi Sundowns
Nuno Santos of Mamelodi Sundowns

“But sometimes you can have money but lack a vision. Because money without vision cannot help you. You can have a vision, but without money it won’t work, and you can have money, but without proper vision it won’t work.

“For your vision to work, you need to back it with money. And that’s exactly what Mamelodi Sundowns are doing. I’m not talking player transfers here,” he concluded.

<!-- 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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