PRETORIA — South African football club Mamelodi Sundowns striker Cuthbert Malajila feels the Brazilians have an air of unpredictability about them due to the football club’s heavy dealings in the transfer market.
Sundowns have signed a raft of players — such as attacking trio Mame Niang, Ejike Uzoenyi and Lindokuhle Mbatha — in their bid to defend their Premiership crown and make inroads in the Caf Champions League this season.
And Malajila suspects opposition coaches will have a tough time plotting for the numerous options at Pitso Mosimane’s disposal.
“One of the interesting things though for us as Mamelodi Sundowns is the fact we have signed well in the transfer market which makes it difficult to predict us,” Malajila told Downs’ official website.
Meanwhile, Malajila says the team are eager to ignite their campaign against holders Platinum Stars in the MTN8 on Saturday.
“After such a lengthy period of no serious footballing action, I can tell you now that all the players are itching for our first match of the season especially agaisnt a team like Platinum Stars,” said the Zimbabwean.
“You must also understand that we this has been one of those tricky encounters for us and opening a season against them is a start straight from the blocks and we want to make it matter.”
He added: “I wonder though if people will still talk about them (Stars) being the hoodoo team because we convincingly beat them last season. It will be an interesting affair though as both teams will go all out for a win.”
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Meanwhile, word reaching the Siya crew is that former Orlando Pirates striker Takesure Chinyama and Ex-Free State Stars’ Aleni Lebyane, are training at Swallows.
The two strikers join former Kaizer Chiefs and Black Leopards striker, former Zimbabwe youth international Brian Abbas Amidu and Brazilian striker, Paulo Lima who are also on trial at the club.
Chinyama spent last season at Platinum Stars, where he only made four substitute appearances and failed to find the back of the net. Dikwena then decided against renewing his one-year deal.
Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed that Kingston Nkhatha is good and ready to go after an injury scare.The Zimbabwean striker got a knock on his leg after colliding with Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa during the Carling Black Label Cup clash on Saturday, and he was expected to be out for a lengthy period.
However, it turns out it was just a “dead leg” according to Chiefs’ medical team, and Nkhatha may even be available for Sunday’s MTN8 quarter-final clash against Mpumalanga Black Aces at FNB Stadium. — Kick Off/Laduma
