Latest news with #Mvala
TimesLIVE
28-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Mvala calls on Sundowns' experienced heads to be counted against Pyramids
Mamelodi Sundowns defender Mothobi Mvala has called his fellow experienced senior players to stand up and be counted to help the team over the line in the Champions League final against Pyramids FC. The Brazilians travel to Cairo for the second leg at the June 30 Stadium on Sunday with the tie evenly balanced at 1-1 from the first leg at Loftus on Saturday and a winner must be produced in Egypt. Downs will lift the trophy with a win or a draw of 2-2 or higher and a 1-1 draw will take the tie to a penalty shoot-out. A 0-0 draw would see Pyramids lift the trophy on away goals. Sundowns have club and national performers with vast continental experience. Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana, Mvala, Aubrey Modiba, Themba Zwane, Teboho Mokoena, Thapelo Morena and Jayden Adams were part of the Bafana Bafana squad that finished third at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast last year. Mothobi Mvala calls on experienced players to stand up and be counted in Cairo. WATCH full interview ➡️➡️➡️ — Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) May 28, 2025 Chilean Marcelo Allende, Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro and Namibian Peter Shalulile have plenty of big Champions League matches under their belts. 'We really need experienced players to come to the party, especially in the change room, to push the guys so we can win this game,' Mvala said. 'We played Pyramids FC before and it's not going to be an easy game because we have to go and get a result that side.' The defender, who may play a crucial role in Egypt from the bench, has recovered from a long injury layoff. Mvala has been reintegrated into the team by coach Miguel Cardoso with recent substitute appearances against Magesi FC and Chippa United in the Betway Premiership. Despite their success on the domestic and continental front, Pyramids FC do not command great support at home — giants Al Ahly and Zamalek monopolise numbers in the stands with their huge fan bases. Mvala said that could work in Downs' favour. 'We know they don't have too many supporters and that can work in our favour. We just need to go out there and work hard from the start of the game until the end. 'In the first leg, we started well by not allowing Pyramids to put crosses into our box, it's just that we lost concentration in the dying minutes. We allowed that cross and we did not mark well into the box. 'This is something we need to work on for the second leg. We must kill the game off early in Cairo and to do that you need to score more goals. 'If you score three goals, you kill the game and their confidence. If you leave the score at 1-0, you leave the door open for them to come back. 'I hope when we can go that side and get at least three goals.' Sundowns took the lead via Ribeiro's 54th-minute strike at Loftus but Pyramids snuck a last-gasp draw through Walid El Karti's goal deep in injury time, seconds from the final whistle.
The South African
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Sundowns star returns after five months out
Mamelodi Sundowns' 30-year-old defender Mvala is back from injury since November 2024. The Theunissen-born defender Mvala became available ahead of Sundowns' meeting with Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League second-leg semifinals last week, as confirmed by coach Miguel Cardoso. 'Also, Mothobi is now coming back,' the Sundowns mentor said via FARPost. 'So, it's players with experience, players that have a strong word in the group, players that give stability in the group, that bring joy, that bring animation, that bring energy. 'Of course, we will use them according to the level so that, indeed, they can be powerful for us. As I told you last time I sat here, I believe they will help us until the end of the season for sure,' Cardoso added. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Another Sundowns and Bafana star is back
Mamelodi Sundowns maestro Themba Zwane returned to action last weekend. One of his key teammates has also just returned. 30-year-old central defender Mvala has not played football since 2024 due to injury. With the Betway Premiership champions facing Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League second-leg semifinals on Friday, coach Miguel Cardoso has confirmed that 'Dragon' is back. 'Also, Mothobi is now coming back,' the Sundowns mentor said via FARPost. 'So, it's players with experience, players that have a strong word in the group, players that give stability in the group, that bring joy, that bring animation, that bring energy. 'Of course, we will use them according to the level so that, indeed, they can be powerful for us. As I told you last time I sat here, I believe they will help us until the end of the season for sure,' Cardoso added. Sundowns and Al Ahly will kick off on Friday at 18:00 from the Cairo International Stadium. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
