Mamelodi Sundowns will begin the defence of their DStv Premiership title when they travel to Sekhukhune United on Friday evening.
DStv Premiership
Teams: Sekhukhune United v Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 04 August 2023
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Time: 19h30
Sundowns won their sixth consecutive league title with seven games to spare last season and finished 16 points ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates.
The Brazilians toured the Netherlands in their pre-season preparations, where they won three and drew one of their four friendlies.
The Tshwane side beat Dutch sides, NAC Breda, Sparta Rotterdam 4-1, Go Ahead Eagles and drew 2-2 with Belgian side KAA Gent.
Sundowns have bolstered their squad with the signings of Brazilian Lucas Costa Ribeiro (from SK Beveren), Junior Mendieta (from Stellenbosch), Thapelo Maseko (from SuperSport United), Lesiba Nku (from Marumo Gallants) and recently Bathusi Aubaas (from TS Galaxy).
Moving on to Sekhukhune, they finished seventh in the league standings last season and qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup despite losing 1-0 to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final, as the Soweto giants qualified for the CAF Champions League.
Babina Noko went through an overhaul of the squad in the off-season, as 18 players have left the club, with Victor Letsoalo notably moving to AmaZulu in a swap deal in exchange for Rally Bwalya.
The Limpopo side have also made a number of signings, including the likes of Jamie Webber (from SuperSport United), Siphesihle Mkhize (from Chippa United, parent club Sundowns), Renaldo Leaner (from Maritzburg United, Mbhazima Rikhotso (from Royal AM), Zaphania Mbokoma (free agent), Tiklas Thutlwa (from Black Leopards) and Kgomotso Mosadi (from Casric Stars), among others
Here's how they line up:
Sekhukhune United: 30. Sangare, 2. Mobbie, 36. Ntiya-Ntiya,4. Cardoso, 39. Gyimah, 12. Mokotjo, 17. Mokwana, 8. Webber, 34. Ohizu, 18. Bwalya, 10. Mncube
Subs: 16. Leaner, 27. Mkhabela, 29. Tshibwabwa, 25. Dias, 35. Mahlangu, 11. Vilakazi, 26. Maloisane, 40. Mosadi, 21. Thutlwa
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 25. Mudau, 13. Boutouil, 5. Lebusa, 40. Coetzee, 4. Mokoena, 17. Modiba, 11. Allende, 18. Zwane, 23. Ribeiro, 38. Shalulile
Subs: 26. Pieterse, 20. Kekana, 34. Mvala, 14. Mashego, 8. Zungu, 35. Maema, 15. Mendieta, 22. Mabena, 33. Maseko
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
