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Aaron Dube in JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
MAMELODI Sundowns communications co-ordinator Thulani Thuswa has said that the three contracted Zimbabweans who play for the Absa Premier League team are the backbone of the side. Former AmaZulu midfielder and Sundowns veteran Esrom Nyandoro and the Warriors duo of Cuthbert Malajila and Khama Billiat jetted out of the country at the weekend with the rest of the team for a tournament against two Zambian teams Power Dynamos, Zesco United and a team from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Don Bosco.
Sundowns are using the tour to fine-tune ahead of their title challenge in South Africa while the Chan tournament takes place.
Thuswa said in order for Sundowns to be in good shape they have to play strong opponents during the Chan break.
The management wants all the players to stay focused and fit until the championship resumes at the end of the month.
“These friendly matches are vital in our preparations.
“As I speak now all Zimbabweans travelled with us and they are still part of the team.
“All the players who are with the team in Zambia will get enough game time including Nyandoro, Malajila and Billiat.
“We will keep Zimbabwean players. They are important in the team and they have a huge role ahead as we are challenging for the PSL championship.
“They are still our players for the current season. Friendly tournament games like these are an answer to players who are not having much game time.
Nyandoro has not been receiving much game time and it’s a boost for him to try and assert his position as one of the team’s key midfielders.
His countrymen have been a revelation in the team,” said Thuswa.
Former Coventry City striker Peter Ndlovu is the team’s manager.
Several other Zimbabweans have played for Sundowns and these include Simba Sithole of Dynamos, Alexander Maseko formerly with Highlanders, former Zimbabwe Saints attacking link Henry Mckop,
Tanganda FC and former Young Warriors goalkeeper Nelson Bandura, Caps United’s Lionel M’tizwa.
Lovemore Lizwe Chafunya who played for Highlanders in the early 1980s but formerlyfrom Malawi starred for the Chorklop side as a striker having made a name as an overlapping defender at Bosso.
Online Reporter