Why RBL should not underestimate Mamelodi Sundowns | OneFootball

Dortmund can vouch for just how tough an opponent Mamelodi Sundowns are. BVB faced the South African side in their second game at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and had to work hard for a 4-3 win in sweltering conditions in Cincinnati, having fallen behind early on.

Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham was full of praise for the Sundowns afterwards: “That was a tough game, I have to say. They were a really good side and very strong.” Perhaps it was the shirts that threw BVB off: Mamelodi Sundowns are known as 'The Brazilians' because of their bright yellow shirts with green details.

Almost a year later, the Red Bulls will face one of Africa’s leading clubs on their post-season tour. The game brings a five-day stay in South Africa to a close. Compared with BVB, however, RBL can expect temperatures of up to 20°C rather than more than 30°C at the historic Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Why Friday evening’s friendly against South Africa’s record champions is still likely to be a tough contest for our boys comes down to the way the Sundowns play.

1. A long-established playing philosophy

Like RB Leipzig, Mamelodi Sundowns follow a playing identity that has developed over many years. 'Shoe Shine and Piano' is the name of the philosophy introduced in the 1980s by former coach Stanley 'Screamer' Tshabalala.

It's a possession-based style built on sharp passing, quick interchanges and neat link-up play. 'The Brazilians' look to build the play up bravely from the back, with the goalkeeper heavily involved, centre-backs positioned wide and full-backs pushed extremely high.

Miguel Cardoso’s side look to impose their game through intelligent positioning and precise passing. Long balls are not generally part of the 18-time South African champions’ game. “We can’t wait to show our playing style – 'Shoe Shine and Piano' – to the world once again,” club ambassador Hlompho Kekana said. RBL’s defence can expect to be kept busy.

Even after a draining end to the Bundesliga season, Ole Werner’s side are still more than capable of pressing with their usual intensity out of possession and setting the tone themselves on the ball.

2. Visiting the champions of Africa

Compared with the Red Bulls, the Sundowns are still that bit sharper. While we ended our season two weeks ago with the away game in Freiburg, the South Africans were in action as recently as last Sunday in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR of Morocco. 'The Brazilians' won 1-0 in the first leg and drew 1-1 in the return fixture to lift the trophy – their second CAF Champions League title after 2016.

They were therefore able to avoid a trophyless season after seeing Orlando Pirates end their eight-year hold on the Premier Soccer League title.

3. Key figures for 'The Brazilians'

Mamelodi Sundowns are captained by Themba Zwane. Apart from a one-year spell out on loan, the now 36-year-old has been with South Africa’s record champions since 2011. Due to his age, however, Zwane is no longer a regular starter. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams (34) brings a similar level of experience and has been at the club since 2022.

Iqraam Rayners is their top marksman with 16 goals in competitive games, closely followed by Brayan León on 15. Cardoso’s side also have Tashreeq Matthews, a lightning-quick winger, in their ranks, who actually had a short spell in Borussia Dortmund’s youth setup in 2018 before being loaned to FC Utrecht.

Mamelodi Sundowns, along with Orlando Pirates, provide the biggest contingent in South Africa's World Cup squad, who will contest the opening game against Mexico. That group consists of the following eight players: Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane, Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, Iqraam Rayners and Themba Zwane.

Whether those eight players will actually be in the squad or even the starting XI on Friday appears doubtful, however, given that South Africa’s World Cup opener is on 11th June. Leipzig will also be without several of their usual starters.

4. Six World Cup-bound players absent, but several youngsters involved instead

Alongside David Raum, who has been called up by Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, Christoph Baumgartner, Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager are also starting their World Cup preparations. Yan Diomande and Antonio Nusa are also getting ready for the tournament with Côte d’Ivoire and Norway respectively.

Ole Werner will therefore out a slightly different looking XI in Pretoria. That will give several RBL youngsters a welcome chance to show what they can do with the first team: Samba Konaté, Abdul Al-Khalaf, Benno Kaltefleiter, Toni Langsteiner, Lionel Voufack and Warren Ngana from the U19s, as well as Manuel Abbey from the U17s, will all be part of the group. Samba and Benno are already members of the first-team squad.

The Red Bulls’ friendly against Mamelodi Sundowns will be shown live on Red Bull TV from 20:00 CEST on Friday.

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