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This was the feeling after the interview with club technical director Trott Moloto who released a 57-member delegation which includes 32 players.
Sundowns will play against Highlanders, Caps United and Dynamos next week as part of their preparations for the second half of their championship campaign whose highlight will be the Nedbank Cup which they are eager to win.
The Brazilians had a shaky start and seem to be men on a mission once again as under new coach Pitso Mosimane, they have shown glimpses of their former successful self.
Moloto said they would be bringing all their first team players.
“We are taking this game seriously and we will bring all our players to Zimbabwe for the tour. We are preparing for the second half of the season and the Nedbank Cup which we want to win and represent South Africa in the Caf Confederation Cup next year,” said Moloto.
He disclosed that his club was preparing seriously in Polokwane.
“Everyone has been working hard in camp ahead of this tour. We have had an intensive camp in Polokwane where on Saturday we will play National First Division team United FC in a practice match,” said the former Moraka Swallows defender.
Moloto said they will feature two guest players Rashid Sumaila of Togo and Emmanuel Mathias of Ghana who have been on trial with the club.
He said preparations for the trip to Zimbabwe were going on well with constant communication with their colleagues here.
“We are working well with our colleagues in Zimbabwe. We have asked them to help us get visas for some of the players and I have just been chatting with Highlanders secretary Andrew Tapela, we are happy with what is on the ground in Zimbabwe,” said Moloto.
PSL president Twine Phiri also confirmed that his office in Harare was busy with all the necessary clearances with chief executive Kennedy Ndebele in charge.
Sundowns who arrive in Zimbabwe on Monday will clash with the Bulawayo giants at Barbourfields Stadium on Wednesday next week.
They will then play against Caps United in Harare on Friday before their last match against Dynamos on 3 February again in the capital.
Highlanders chairman Peter Dube said it was all systems go at the club with the technical team working on the boys while the administration was busy with the paper work. Sundowns’ tour he said was a once in a lifetime opportunity and club wanted to make the best out of it.
“You do not get these chances coming your way regularly. It’s an honour to play a brand like Sundowns one of the biggest and most organised teams in Africa.
“We certainly have a lot to learn from them and we hope we can foster relationships that can benefit both teams. Our boys’ morale will certainly be at its best as the match will profile them and they will be out to impress,” said Dube.
He said fans were likely to come in their numbers given the fact that there are Zimbabweans in the Sundowns line-up.
“We have our own Bulawayo boy Esrom Nyandoro coming to clash with Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium, it’s a momentous occasion not to be missed and there is also Nyasha Mushekwi one of their top strikers who is from here so we are looking forward to a good game,” said Dube.
He said they would put everything into place to ensure a good afternoon for the fans and the two teams.
Highlanders intensified their preparations for the game by moving to Unit Fairbridge to practise on the pitch on Monday.
The Sundonws team bus will arrive on Sunday and the club is even bringing its own security personnel for the tour in the 25-member technical team headed by Moloto and former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane.
Missing from the tour is Katlego Mphela who is with the national team that is taking part in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The team has players drawn from Ghana, Uganda, Togo, South Africa, Liberia, Mozambique, The Netherlands and Zimbabwe.
Teko Modise, Elias Pelembe and Nyandoro will probably be the main attractions.
Sundowns travelling party
Technical Staff
Pitso Mosimane (head coach), Alex Bapela (Assistant coach), Clifford Dlangalala (Assistant coach), Jon Pascua-Ibarrola (Goalkeepers’ trainer), Helvicio de Gusmas (Physical trainer), Wendell Robinson (Goalkeepers’ coach), Trott Moloto (Head of technical), Mike Ntombela (Team Manager), Goolam Husein Valodia (Technical analyst), Paul Maphoto (Team doctor), Sakhumzi Ngwevela (Team physio), Anthony Mcgregor (Team biokinetist), Sizwe Gqogqo (Team Massuer), Freddy Zungu (Kit manager), Simon Mashego (Players’ caretaker), Kabelo Mosito (Communications), Dumisani Nyathi (Bus driver), Charles Nkhulu, Jan Moloya, Thomas Tshwale, John Skhosana, Peter Mofolo, Charles Manailane, Jeffrey Mokoetedi, Michael Mphomane (All team security)
Players
Calvin Marlin, Denis Onyango, Siyabonga Ngubane, Doctor Mampuru, Method Mwanjali, Clayton Daniels, Wayne Arendse, Eleazer Rogers, Kwandakwensizwa Mngonyana, Alje Schut, Tebogo Langerman, Abel Mabaso, Mumuni Abubakar, Themba Zwane, Musa Nyatama, Thamsanqa Sangweni, Surprise Moriri, Esrom Nyandoro, Hlompho Kekana, Teko Modise, Samuel Jules, Anthony Laffor, Elias Pelembe, Richard Henyekane, Emmanuel Baffor, Nyasha Mushekwi, Edward Mnqele, Sibusiso Khumalo, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Rashid Sumaila, Emmanuel Mathias.
Online Reporter