Arthur Zwane warns Sundowns: Fatigue could end their league dominance
Fatigue? Mamelodi Sundowns have not had much rest between the last two seasons, and AmaZulu's Arthur Zwane believes the rest of the league can capitalise. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane has predicted that fixture congestion will catch up with Mamelodi Sundown.
On the back end of last season, where they once again finished first in the Betway Premiership, Sundowns’ players had little time to rest.
Immediately after the campaign ended, they took on Pyramids FC – and lost – in the CAF Champions League final. After that, they headed to the United States to take part in the revamped FIFA Club World Cup. Their last game in that competition was on June 25.
After a short break, the players had to return for pre-season training, and two weeks ago, they played their first game of the new season, and have had an uncharacteristically slow start.
Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
“It is going to be a tough season, as I see it, because at some point, the players will get tired. I am talking from the players’ perspective,” said AmaZulu head coach Zwane, a quoted by HollywoodBets.
The former Kaizer Chiefs player and coach believes playing football at a consistently high pace and under constant demands for several years is exhausting – especially in Africa, where teams often have to travel long distances. According to Zwane, this gives other teams a chance to dethrone the Brazilians, who have won eight straight league titles.
“Sundowns are going to play in the Champions League, and Sundowns players are going to play in the national team. There are going to be injuries as well. We have to capitalise on that.”
Zwane’s comments may be seen as both a warning and a rallying cry to the rest of the league. While Sundowns have built a reputation for brushing aside challenges and finding ways to win, the coming months will test their depth, resilience, and hunger like never before.
If fatigue truly begins to chip away at their dominance, the Betway Premiership could finally see a genuine title race.
IOL Sport