Mamelodi Sundowns’ Carling Knockout Cup opener rescheduled to Wednesday due to fixture congestion, despite African football League AFL clearance
Sundowns will miss the services of their national team players, who are with Bafana Bafana for an international friendly against Ivory Coast on Tuesday night.
Ronwen Williams, Mothobi Mvala, Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, and Khuliso Mudau are all in Ivory Coast.
Masandawana are already sweating over the fitness of Thapelo Morena, Lesiba Nku, Lucas Ribeiro, Bathusi Aubaas, Abubeker Nasir and Siyanda Nyanga.
It leaves them without over 10 of their key players as they go into the Carling tie. Sundowns is one of eight teams handpicked to participate in the AFL, a new club competition launched by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The tournament roars to life next Saturday with the two-legged final set for November 2023.
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The winner will walk away with a whopping $4 million [R75.6 million], while the runner-up pockets $3 million [R56.7 million]. Semi-finalists get $1.7 million [R32.1 million], with all quarter-finalists receiving $1 million [R18.9 million].
Mamelodi Sundowns’ participation in the AFL is a major boost for CAF president Patrice Motsepe.
A week ago, it looked like Masandawana would not play as the PSL board of governors barred the club citing fixture challenges.
Their participation will, however, present some challenges for the club. Sundowns will have a busy few weeks, playing multiple matches in a short period of time while also missing some of their best players due to international commitments.
Only time will tell if Sundowns can juggle their commitments and succeed in multiple competitions this season.