Mamelodi Sundowns have seemingly turned down the idea of having split squads to compete in the African Football League (AFL) and other competitions together.
The Brazilians’ invitation to play in the AFL has been under question, as the Premier Soccer League is yet to publicly endorse their participation, despite the South African Football Association showing support towards the inaugural African Super League.
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One of the main concerns is that Sundowns’ fixtures in the AFL clash with the start of the Carling Knockout Cup and the PSL were reportedly critical of allowing postponements, including league games, to accommodate the Tshwane giants’ Super League participation.
There were suggestions that, as a solution to the problem, the Brazilians could split their squad into two groups, one in the African Football League and the other in the remaining competitions, so the fixtures that are already out are not compromised.
However, Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena says he hopes the situation does not get to those compromises, as he believes the Tshwane giants must have the best squad representing the team in all competitions.
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“I hope it doesn’t come to that, my hope is that we’re able to always put out the best team on the pitch and of course to make sure that all of us are available to be able to assist and support the players during the 90 minutes,” Mokwena told journalists at the Carling Knockout Cup launch.
Mokwena was asked if that could have been a good opportunity for other players to get game time but he insisted that they do give players game-time under normal circumstances despite carrying a 36-member squad.
“That’s what we did last season. We had a squad of 36 I think and we played all 35 players without any splits, that’s the group and the work that we have,” he said.
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“To make sure that each and every player is prepared we train not for the team but for the entire group, the whole 36 players we try to make sure that they understand the demands, the style of play, the schemes and we have to make sure we’re ready for each and every single game this season,” he added.
There are reports that Sundowns have been given the go ahead by the PSL to move some of their fixtures which clashes with their African Football League schedule.
The PSL has reportedly called an urgent Board of Governors meeting for Friday, with the Brazilians’ AFL participation believed to be high on the agenda.
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