Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder George Maluleka has reviewed the new Masandawana’s signings ahead of the club’s title defence this season.
The DStv Premiership champions recently completed a two-week pre-season training camp at the University of Pretoria, where Maluleka was able to train with his new teammates in preparation for the new season.
Sundowns have already announced the arrivals of five new players, namely Pavol Safranko, Divine Lunga, Neo Maema, Grant Kekana and Thabiso Kutumela, and ‘Mido’ says the new additions will boost the side’s chances of winning more silverware this season.
“The guys are great players and I’m excited for the season ahead,” he told the club’s media. “We have goals as Mamelodi Sundowns and with the new additions it gives us a better chance of being able to compete at the highest level.”
The former Kaizer Chiefs star also revealed that he has been enjoying the pre-season preparations and he is feeling good ahead of what promises to be another demanding campaign in the PSL.
“It’s always important to have a good pre-season so you set yourself the foundation and build from there to start the season,” he added. “I love pre-season, to be honest… It helps me build my stamina and ability to compete and help the team succeed in our goals.”
In a bid to retain their title, Sundowns have been rather active in the transfer window and much would be expected from them once again in the coming season. The trio of Grant Kekana, Thabiso Kutumela and Pavol Safranko in particular will be ones to watch out for, especially the latter who was brought in to help Peter Shalulile with the burden of scoring goals for the club.
This come after ex-Sundowns star Katlego Mashego recently aired his doubts on the Slovakian forward. Speaking about Safranko recently, he said: “The striker from Slovakia, I haven’t seen him and I’ve got no idea what he is about,”
“It’s very rare for European players to come to Africa, if they are among the best of players. That said, we’ve had some good European players coming to our shores.
“But I mean, 90 percent of them haven’t convinced, but I wouldn’t know [about Safranko]. Maybe that’s the player they probably scouted or watched play.
“Let’s hope he is not a DVD player or a video player… I mean, you see them being very good in the videos but when they come here, they are nothing close to what they are supposed to be. So, I wouldn’t know much about him.”