Mamelodi Sundowns confirm Europe rumours
Mamelodi Sundowns confirm Europe rumours
Mamelodi Sundowns are continuing the trend they started two years ago. The club is going to Europe for preseason.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS TO PREPARE IN EUROPE
As reported across local media last week, Kabo Yellow were said to be planning a trip to Europe ahead of the new season. The African Football League champions follow this trip after visiting the Netherlands last season. The new plans were confirmed by the chairman Thlopie Motsepe on Friday.
“As we prepare for the upcoming season, plans are underway for a return to Europe for our pre-season,” Motsepe revealed to the club’s media. “This time, after considering different countries and continents, the team has opted for Austria where they will face some top European sides.
“We trust that preparations will be in-depth and vigorous as they were in the Netherlands last year. The camp in Austria will also assist with the preparations for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup,” the Sundowns boss added.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STAR LUCAS RIBEIRO SUPPORTS BRAZILIAN FAMILIES
So much happens during pre-season in footballers’ lives. Mamelodi Sundowns‘ Lucas Ribeiro has been touching lives in Santa Helena, Brazil.
Kabo Yellow‘s 25-year-old Brazilian forward Ribeiro has been enjoying the holidays after lighting up the South Africa with 19 goals and nine assists in his debut season. With a few weeks left of the break, the Sundowns star has taken time and money to support the poor.
WHY HE CAME TO MZANSI
As you may have known, Ribeiro was playing his football in Belgium for SK Beveren before flying to South Africa to join Sundowns. Why and how did he make the decision?
“When I was approached by Sundowns at first, to be honest, I didn’t know much about the club but it caught my attention and I had to go and search about them and the country,” said Ribeiro via FARPost.
“I realised it’s a good club with ambitions to win which is actually part of what I was longing for and for my career to be in that space.
“And on my search, we had a chat with the coach, a Zoom call and we were talking about the tactics and the style of play when I searched I noticed how the team was playing and the coach explained the ambitions of the club, how they play and everything.
“It was a big win for me because I bought into the idea. And when I arrived here, it was actually the same thing I was told before I arrived.
“So, it was what I was longing for and also I arrived in a good group. So, everything was good.
“To be honest with you, I am at the best moment of my life and the decision I took to join Sundowns is the best moment because I’ve tasted winning with the club.
“It gives me more desire to wanna win more titles with the club. So, I’m truly grateful for the decision I took,” the Sundowns star concluded.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old is expected to join up with his teammates in Europe in the coming week. According to new reports, Sundowns will travel to Austria to spent the first few weeks of training ahead of the 2024/25 DStv Premiership season.
“DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns‘ pre-season plans look set to take them to Austria in Europe ahead of the 2024/25 term,” iDiski Times’ Sinethemba Makonco reported.
“iDiski Times understands that Sundowns will start their pre-season for 2024/25 on 1 July, with a trip to Austria on the cards in July for the domestic league record-breakers,” the report concluded.