Peter Shalulile's place in Mamelodi Sundowns starting line-up is under threat following the arrival of Arthur Sales and Kobamelo Kodisang, who are expected to hit the ground running at Chloorkop.
More often than not, when a club signs new players in your position, the general assumption is that you are likely to go down the pecking order.
However, Shalulile does not sound particularly bothered by Sundowns’ latest acquisitions, singing the diplomatic tune of team spirit.
Shalulile heaped Brazilian-born striker Sales with praises, suggesting that he does not view his arrival as competition.
“He is a good player by far. It is not a thing of competing but allowing the guy to help the team to do better than it was doing. It is all about brotherhood and whoever plays we wish him good to bring the results,” Shalulile told SuperSport.
Meanwhile, Shalulile’s teammate and senior member of the Sundowns team, Denis Onyango, opened up the tough challenge of winning the CAF Champions League.
Sundowns have a 50% record in the continent’s premium inter-club competition, having lost their maiden final in 2001 against Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly.
"We need to keep going because it is not going to be given to us, we have to fight for it."
Masandawana’s fortunes turned around in 2016 when Downs thumped Zamalek under the leadership of Pitso Mosimane – who is the most successful African-born coach with three titles behind Manuel Jose who won the Champions League four times.
Downs have been dominant in the Premier Soccer League, winning the last seven league tiles, effectively rendering Mzansi’s top-flight a farmer’s league (a football term used to describe a division dominated by one team).
Onyango and club captain Themba Zwane are the only two players in Sundowns’ squad who have lifted the Champions League, and Onyango would love to have another gold medal before he retires.
“Last season we were knocked out in the semi-finals which is one step closer to the finals,” Onyango told SuperSport.
“The other season we were knocked out in the quarter-final, so we are hoping that this season we go all the way to the final and try to win it because we really need it. As a team, we need to put in the effort and try to win it as much as possible.
“It is going to be interesting, everyone has beefed up his squad and everyone is looking ready to fight for the league title. We are also ready,” he concluded.
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