After Mamelodi Sundowns did not show signs of physical struggles in their first game, after a handicap of a short pre-season, a conditioning coach weighs in on the matter.
Sundowns were expected to perhaps start slow and only improve their physical condition as the season progresses, after they had only two weeks of pre-season.
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Masandawana had a prolonged season due their participation at the FIFA Club World and after giving players an extended break, the PSL only released the fixtures for the 2025/26 season while the Brazilians were still on holiday.
After returning on 21 July, the Tshwane giants had just learned that they would have only two weeks or so to prepare for their MTN8 quarter-final clash against Richards Bay.
And after Masandawana cruised to a 4-0 victory against the Natal Rich Boyz, the biggest question is whether the KwaZulu-Natal side were badly prepared or Sundowns quality can withstand any circumstances they face, particularly in the domestic competitions.
Soccer Laduma spoke to physical trainer Abongwe-Ubuhle Badi, on whether he expected the Tshwane giants to struggle, from a physical conditioning point of view, considering that they had just over a week training in Rustenburg after they returned from their holidays.
"No, not really, because when you're doing mini pre-season, it was about improving the speed of players, being explosive when playing," Badi explained to the Siya crew.
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"Remember those players have been together for too long, so they were not gonna struggle, it was a continuation from the Club World Cup," the former Polokwane City and Durban City physical trainer added.
Sundowns' physical readiness will be tested as they are scheduled to play their first two Betway Premiership matches within a space of four days, away to Chippa United on Saturday and at home against AmaZulu next Tuesday.
