Mamelodi Sundowns will have a marksman’s target etched on the back next season and Chloorkop could be under siege from the opening game of the coming campaign.
Veteran Sundowns midfielder Teko Modise issued the ominous warning and he said the Premier Soccer League champions would need to bring in strong reinforcements to keep Kaizer Chiefs‚ Orlando Pirates‚ Supersport United and BidVest Wits at bay.
‘‘All of the big teams are coming‚” the McDonald’s ambassador said.
‘‘You saw what is happening at Kaizer Chiefs. You also saw what is happening at Supersport‚ at Wits and at Orlando Pirates. It will be a very tough season because they are all coming.”
Chiefs signalled their intentions when they released 20 players in a massive clear out that shook the domestic top-flight last month.
The club is busy in the transfer market and a major announcement on new acquisitions is scheduled for the end of the month.
Not to be outdone‚ United have elected to use a very different route and they have spent the past few weeks plundering the Chiefs change room.
United have already confirmed the signings of former Chiefs players Reyaad Pieterse‚ Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Keegan Ritchie. They have also added former Polokwane City star Cole Alexander to their increasingly impressive arsenal.
Wits have already confirmed the signings of Eleazar Rodgers from Platinum Stars‚ Pentjie Zulu from Jomo Cosmos‚ Gabadinho Mhango from Bloemfontein Celtic and Zimbabwean striker Knox Mutizwa.
Pirates have kept their cards closer to the chest but they are believed to be in final stages of concluding the signings of acquisitions of their own.
Sundowns won the league title at canter a last month — they amassed 71 points and 22 wins in 30 games — but Modise said it is highly unlikely that the record will be broken in the coming season.
‘‘I do not think that the league winners will reach that points tally next season. I expect the points to be in the 50s. It will be a very‚ very tough season.”
The Brazilians are participating in the African Champions League and will have to juggle domestic assignments with continental obligations.
‘‘We need to bring in more numbers into the team‚ that is a given. We need more players because it will be tough.”
Modise said the youngsters he interacts with during his work with the South African Schools Football Association in the McDonald’s U/14 Schools League often ask him what it feels like to don the Bafana Bafana and Sundowns shirts.
‘‘I get asked this question a lot. I always tell them that if they have the drive‚ they will put on the Bafana and the Sundowns shirts one day.
‘‘There is a lot of talent out there and these youngsters just need the exposure. We are doing our part in giving them the opportunity.”
Sundown flew out to Algeria on Tuesday for their tough opening assignment in the group phase of the African Champions League at the weekend.
Coach Pitso Mosimane’s charges play Entente Setif‚ who were the 2014 Champions League winners‚ at the May 8 Stadium in Setif on Saturday night where the referee will be Mahamadou Keita of Mali.
Modise expects close PSL title race next season as Sundowns' rivals regroup
Mamelodi Sundowns will have a marksman’s target etched on the back next season and Chloorkop could be under siege from the opening game of the coming campaign.
Veteran Sundowns midfielder Teko Modise issued the ominous warning and he said the Premier Soccer League champions would need to bring in strong reinforcements to keep Kaizer Chiefs‚ Orlando Pirates‚ Supersport United and BidVest Wits at bay.
‘‘All of the big teams are coming‚” the McDonald’s ambassador said.
‘‘You saw what is happening at Kaizer Chiefs. You also saw what is happening at Supersport‚ at Wits and at Orlando Pirates. It will be a very tough season because they are all coming.”
Chiefs signalled their intentions when they released 20 players in a massive clear out that shook the domestic top-flight last month.
The club is busy in the transfer market and a major announcement on new acquisitions is scheduled for the end of the month.
Not to be outdone‚ United have elected to use a very different route and they have spent the past few weeks plundering the Chiefs change room.
United have already confirmed the signings of former Chiefs players Reyaad Pieterse‚ Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Keegan Ritchie. They have also added former Polokwane City star Cole Alexander to their increasingly impressive arsenal.
Wits have already confirmed the signings of Eleazar Rodgers from Platinum Stars‚ Pentjie Zulu from Jomo Cosmos‚ Gabadinho Mhango from Bloemfontein Celtic and Zimbabwean striker Knox Mutizwa.
Pirates have kept their cards closer to the chest but they are believed to be in final stages of concluding the signings of acquisitions of their own.
Sundowns won the league title at canter a last month — they amassed 71 points and 22 wins in 30 games — but Modise said it is highly unlikely that the record will be broken in the coming season.
‘‘I do not think that the league winners will reach that points tally next season. I expect the points to be in the 50s. It will be a very‚ very tough season.”
The Brazilians are participating in the African Champions League and will have to juggle domestic assignments with continental obligations.
‘‘We need to bring in more numbers into the team‚ that is a given. We need more players because it will be tough.”
Modise said the youngsters he interacts with during his work with the South African Schools Football Association in the McDonald’s U/14 Schools League often ask him what it feels like to don the Bafana Bafana and Sundowns shirts.
‘‘I get asked this question a lot. I always tell them that if they have the drive‚ they will put on the Bafana and the Sundowns shirts one day.
‘‘There is a lot of talent out there and these youngsters just need the exposure. We are doing our part in giving them the opportunity.”
Sundown flew out to Algeria on Tuesday for their tough opening assignment in the group phase of the African Champions League at the weekend.
Coach Pitso Mosimane’s charges play Entente Setif‚ who were the 2014 Champions League winners‚ at the May 8 Stadium in Setif on Saturday night where the referee will be Mahamadou Keita of Mali.
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