With Mamelodi Sundowns set to participate at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this month, Soccer Laduma caught up with USA-based coach Dylan Kerr, formerly in the PSL, for the lay of the land.
Sundowns will have to get over their CAF Champions League final defeat to Pyramids quickly, as a bigger opportunity to redeem themselves awaits in the expanded Club World Cup.
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Masandawana have been drawn in Group F alongside Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense and Ulsan HD
The Brazilians will get their tournament underway on midnight of 18 June, South African time, against South Korean outfit Ulsan.
After relocating to the United States, the Siya crew caught up with former Marumo Gallants head coach Kerr, who is now based in New York, on what Sundowns can expect from the tournament.
"I don't think they're playing in New York, I wish they were playing in New York, I'd love to go but it's gonna be interesting to see the level that Sundowns are," Kerr said told this publication.
"But I don't think many football teams will take their high profile players, because the season has been too long, the (UEFA) Champions League has just finished, you need rest and recovery, because pre-season starts in the middle of June.
"I don't think the big teams will have their full squads. But preparations (for Sundowns) have to be good, they have to come here at least ten days before the tournaments starts, to acclimatize to a different environment, get used to the facilities, the heat here. It's a different heat here, more humid. A lot less altitude," Kerr painted a picture of the conditions the Tshwane giants will be playing at.
"For South African football it would be great that Sundowns would compete with these teams, four, five years ago, would you have thought Sundowns are gonna be at the Club World Cup? Here we are talking about Sundowns playing with the world's elite teams," the former Leeds United defender proudly beamed.
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Sundowns will play two games in Florida against Ulsan and Fluminense, although at different stadiums while they will line-up against Dortmund in Cincinnati.
The Brazilians are expected to jet out of OR Tambo International next week.
