Mamelodi Sundowns are facing a race against time to prepare for their upcoming final, with ten key players set to return from international duty on Wednesday. This leaves the club’s coaching staff with just two days—Thursday and Friday—of training to fine-tune their squad before the crucial match.
The players, who have been representing their respective national teams in international competitions, will rejoin the Sundowns camp following a busy schedule. The team’s head coach, Rulani Mokwena, will have limited time to integrate the returning internationals into the tactical plans for the final.
While the two-day training window is a challenge, Mokwena remains confident that his squad’s depth and experience will help them rise to the occasion. “We’ve always prided ourselves on having a squad that can adapt quickly. While it's not ideal to have such a short turnaround, we have the necessary infrastructure and experience to make it work,” said Mokwena in a recent interview.
The international break saw Sundowns’ stars representing their countries across various continents, with key players involved in qualifiers and friendly matches. The return of such high-caliber talent will provide Sundowns with the boost they need as they aim to clinch the trophy.
For now, all eyes will be on the training sessions on Thursday and Friday as Sundowns look to shake off the fatigue of international commitments and focus on securing a positive result in the final. With the clock ticking, the team’s ability to quickly adjust will be crucial to their chances of success.