The 38-year-old spent 10 years with the Brazilians since joining the club from Free State Stars in 2013.

During his time with the Tshwane giants, Mweene has managed keep 57 clean sheets in 120 appearances across all competitions.

Mweene is also one of the most decorated players at the club and has won 14 titles with the club including eight Premier Soccer League titles, two Nedbank Cups, two Telkom Knockout titles, a Caf Champions League title and the Caf Super Cup.

On an international level, Mweene has represented Zambia 123 times and was part of the squad that won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Reflecting on his time at the club, former teammates Onyango and Pieterse spoke highly of the shot-stopper and hailed the impact he has made in the dressing room as well as on and off the field.

“He’s a fun individual, an honest guy, a good teammate to have and he’s been a good motivator for myself and the young ones coming in. Kennedy has made tremendous saves and has kept us in many competitions, to learn from someone like that is such an honour and privilege. He’s world class,” said Pieterse.

“[We have] happy faces when we are training, but of course give a hundred percent when we are given a task. He’s the only goalkeeper in the PSL who has won all the titles in Africa, he’s been an inspiration to me since I joined Sundowns,” said Onyango.

Meanwhile, Zambian shot stopper and former Sundowns goalkeeper coach Wendell Robinson also touched on Mweene’s remarkable journey, saying: “He’s professional, hard working but most of all he is one of the most humble and kind human beings you’ll ever find.”

Photo by Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

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The Brazilians have made 12 new signings ahead of the 2020-21 season as they look to freshen up and revitalise their squad despite claiming a domestic treble last season.

With so many new arrivals, Downs will have no choice but to release some of their players in order to maintain squad harmony.

According to SoccerLaduma, 32-year-old Mabunda looks set to headline the departures as he continues to be linked with a move to newly-promoted Swallows FC.

Mabunda struggled for regular game time last season under Pitso Mosimane and after acquiring more central midfielders in Khuliso Mudau, George Maluleka and Mothobi Mvala, his spot looks even more threatened.

While Swallows try to secure Mabunda’s signature, Maritzburg United are reportedly leading the race to sign Meza, after trying, and failing, to sign him on loan last season.

With the new season growing ever closer Sundowns are expected to make announcements on departures soon.

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The 28-year-old joined Sundowns from SuperSport United in 2018 but has struggled to force his way above Denis Onyango and Kennedy Mweene in the pecking order at the club.

With the Brazilians having signed Jody February from Ajax Cape Town and Ricardo Goss expected to make the move from faltering Bidvest Wits, competition is only getting tougher for the No 1 jersey and Pieterse’s agent, Gary Cassisa, has confirmed that his client will definitely leave Sundowns.

‘No, we are definitely going to move him, he’s either got to go on loan or we are going to get him a transfer,’ Cassisa told KickOff.com.

‘Well, it’s not just happiness. I mean, he enjoys himself at Sundowns, but the problem is he needs to get game time. Ja, so, it doesn’t come down to happiness, it comes down to his actual career, you know,’ he said when asked if the keeper was still happy at the club.

‘And if he wants to progress forward in his career he’s got to play. So we’ve either got to find him a loan, at a club where he is going to play and get game time, or he’s going to look for a transfer if a club is prepared to buy him out. He’s still got another season left.’

In 2016 Pieterse left Kaizer Chiefs for SuperSport United after failing to displace Itumeleng Khune. but Cassisa says he doesn’t regret that decision and could be open to rejoining the Soweto giants.

‘Look, I don’t think he has any regrets [leaving Chiefs]. I believe a player must always move to progress in his career.

‘That he left doesn’t mean he can’t go back to Kaizer Chiefs, you know. It’s just a matter of having to see if Kaizer Chiefs has a slot available for him. I don’t know, everything is a possibility, you know.

‘But there is no confirmation yet if he’s going there. Like I said to you, he will either go on loan to get game time or he’s going to go on a transfer. But he will go on loan or transfer next season.’

Any move to Chiefs would revolve around the club getting their transfer ban lifted, which at this stage is uncertain.

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The Brazilians jetted off to Seychelles earlier this week to prepare for their two-legged fixture against Côte d’Or, and are just two matches away from reaching the group stages of the continental tournament.

Sundowns progressed thus far after overturning a 2-1 deficit in the preliminary round against Congolese outfit AS Otoho last month with a 4-0 victory, which guaranteed their progression to the next round.

Pitso Mosimane also confirmed that youngster Harold Majadibodu is among his list of squad players.

Speaking on their upcoming clash with Côte d’Or, Mosimane said: ‘We expect a difficult game tomorrow and on paper we are favourites, but on the pitch it’s 11 against 11.

‘It’s about who wants it more and in situations like this it is us who suffer because we think we are better on paper. The match is about playing for the badge, the name and integrity.’

The full Sundowns squad:

Goalkeepers: Reyaad Pieterse, Kennedy Mweene, Denis Onyango.

Defenders: Wayne Arendse, Motjeka Madisha, Anele Ngcongca, Mosa Lebusa, Tebogo Langerman, Bangaly Soumahoro, Harold Majadibodu.

Midfielders: Andile Jali, Hlompho Kekana, Oupa Manyisa, Themba Zwane, Tiyani Mabunda, Lyle Lakay, Sphelele Mkhulise, Lebohang Maboe, Aubrey Ngoma.

Strikers: Jose Ali Meza, Gaston Sirino, Sibusiso Vilakazi.

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Safa confirmed on Monday that former Bidvest Wits keeper Keet, who recently moved to Belgium, had been ruled out of Bafana’s upcoming international friendly against Zambia.

The clash with Zambia will be the first test for new Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki following the departure of Stuart Baxter.

Safa announced that Keet will be unable to participate in the match because he is still finalising his work permit in Belgium.

Bafana Bafana getting ready for the first training session pic.twitter.com/wIkOmeKTkv

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 2, 2019

Ntseki has thus decided to bring in Pieterse who willcompete with Ronwen Williams and Brandon Petersen for a spot in the side.

Bafana are set to leave the country and travel to Zambia on Thursday. Ntseki will be hoping to get his reign off to a winning start, with the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ghana and Sudan in November in mind.

Bafana Bafana arrive for their first training session at Steyn City School in Fourways on Monday, 2 September pic.twitter.com/a740yhGogA

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 2, 2019

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The 27-year-old has been named in the South African national team’s Cosafa Cup squad who are set to take on Botswana in a quarter-final of the tournament on 2 June.

The Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper already has three international caps to his name which came against Botswana, Namibia, and Madagascar in 2018.

Pieterse emphasised that he would use his experience with the national team to help improve his game, while using his experience to help the younger players within the squad.

‘I try and help and guide wherever I can. I’m also learning each and every day.’ Pieterse said. ‘I’m happy to be part of this talented group of players.

When asked if this Bafana squad can go one step further than the previous squad by lifting the Cosafa Cu on home soil, Pieterse said: ‘That’s our ambition as a collective, we are going to give it our best, and with the players we have we stand a good chance of winning the tournament.

‘It’s a good preparation for the boys who stand in line to be selected for the Olympics.’

‘We stand a good chance, as mentioned, with the number of quality players we have. We have to make use of our home-ground advantage.’

The Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper went on to speak about his own objectives for the upcoming tournament with their first match against Botswana.

‘I always set targets and goals for myself as it helps me improve all the time, and obviously it would be to win the tournament and go up against the best,’ he concluded.

Bafana Bafana against Botswana kicks off at 3pm.

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The South Africa national team are set to participate in two tournaments, firstly, the Cosafa Cup tournament which takes place in Durban this month, and then the Afcon which gets under way in June. Baxter announced two separate squads for the Cosafa Cup and Afcon.

Bafana will again host the Cosafa Cup which gets under way this week before travelling to Egypt where they will begin their preparations for the Afcon tournament next month after they were drawn in Group D alongside the likes of Ivory Coast, Morocco, and Namibia.

Orlando Pirates midfielder Ben Motshwari has been rewarded with a call-up to the provisional 30-man squad, after his impressive performance for the Buccanneers this season. The squad are set to be cut down to 23 players before Bafana depart for Egypt.

Fortune Makaringe’s form for Maritzburg United has earned him a place in the squad, while Cape Town City striker Kermit Erasmus has also been included in the training squad.

Kaizer Chiefs shot-stopper Bruce Bvuma has maintained his place in the squad as a third-choice goalkeeper, covering for Ronwen Williams and Darren Keet.

Joel Unteresee and Nikola Tavares have been included in the squad provided that they can get the proper documentation before the tournament kicks off.

Here are the players who will represent South Africa at the Afcon, with the final squad set to be reduced to 23 players:

Bafana Bafana prep squad for Afcon 2019:

Head coach for Afcon: Stuart Baxter:

Goalkeepers: Darren Keet (Bidvest Wits ), Rowen Williams (SuperSport United), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs).

Defenders: Daniel Cardoso (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Kaizer Chiefs), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Sifiso Hlanti (Bidvest Wits ), Buhle Mkhawanazi (Bidvest Wits), Thamsanqa Mkhize (Cape Town City ).

Midfielders: Bongani Zungu (Amiens), Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Kamohelo Mokotjo (Brentford), Tiyani Mabunda (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Serero (Vitesse), Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Fortune Makaringe (Maritzburg United), Ben Motshwari (Orlando Pirates), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier).

Strikers: Lebo Mothiba (Strasbourg), Percy Tau (Royal St Union), Lars Veldwijk (Sparta Rotterdam), Lebogang Maboe (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kermit Erasmus (Cape Town City).

Meanwhile, Baxter has selected a relatively youthful squad for the Cosafa Cup tournament, but has retained the core of the team that participated in the same tournament a year ago.

The South African Football Association (Safa) confirmed that the South Africa U23 coach David Notoane will be in charge of the team to represent Bafana Bafana at this year’s edition of the Cosafa Cup.

Bafana Bafana Squad for the 2019 Cosafa Cup:

Head coach for Cosafa Cup: David Notoane

Goalkeepers: Mondli Mpoto (Bloemfontein Celtic), Darren Johnson (Ajax Cape Town), Reyaad Pieterse (Mamelodi Sundowns).

Defenders: Thendo Mukumela (Ajax Cape Town), Keanu Cupido (Cape Town City), Reeve Frosler (Kaizer Chiefs), Tercious Malepe (Chippa United), Katlego Mohamme (SuperSport United), Bongani Sam (Bloemfontein Celtic), Sandie Mthethwa (Richards Bay).

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (SuperSport United), Athenkosi Dlala (SuperSport United), Kegan Dolly (Montpellier), Sipho Mbule (SuperSport United), Kamohelo Mahlatsi (SuperSport United), Grant Margeman (Ajax Cape Town), Jamie Webber (SuperSport United), Kgaogelo Sekgota (Vitoria Setubal, (Portugal).

Strikers: Phakamani Mahlambi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lerato Lepasa (TS Galaxy), Jemondre Dickens (Baroka), Luther Singh GD Chaves, Portugal), Liam Jordan (Koge FC, Denmark).

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The Chloorkop-based outfit succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Bakgaga with the former Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United shot-stopper largely at fault for the second goal as he parried in a deflection into his own net.

Former Bafana Bafana mentor Mosimane, however, claimed that the best goalkeepers in the world also make errors.

Reyaad Pieterse has got to be the unluckiest person on earth. He made a mess of another ball today as Baroka FC beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2 – 0 in Polokwane #TKO2018 pic.twitter.com/5a9jTaMpyi

— Sporty Issues (@Sporty__Issues) November 3, 2018

‘Do I really want to judge him on that? A penalty and a deflection? I have seen a deflection scored against Denis Onyango. I have seen a deflection against [Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng] Khune,’ he is quoted as saying by the club’s official website.

‘I have seen a deflection against [Manchester United goalkeeper, David] De Gea and it goes in,’ Mosimane said. ‘All those top goalkeepers, even penalties. So really, I don’t think I should blame him for those two goals.

‘Let’s be honest. It’s not about Reyaad. Let’s not kill the players because we are still going to need him. When he played against Golden Arrows, he had a decent game and there were no questions about his performance,’ he added.

Still, Mosimane lambasted his team’s performance at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

‘We need to accept the loss and move on. As much as we controlled and dominated the game, control and dominance don’t win you games. What wins you games are the goals. We didn’t score any goals. We didn’t look like we could score, to be honest.

‘In the first half, maybe but in the second half, it didn’t look like we could score. It was a handball in the box, a penalty and the second one was a deflection, 2-0. We have to accept this and move on.’

Photo: Backpagepix

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WATCH: Baroka vs Mamelodi Sundowns

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The club’s assistant coach managed to guide Baroka past Mamelodi Sundowns after claiming a 2-0 victory in the Telkom Knockout quarter-final at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

Thoka was on the bench for Bakgaga after head coach Wedson Nyirenda was granted compassionate leave to return home to Zambia following the passing of his mother.

The stand-in coach says that he is grateful to the club, who showed faith in him in the absence of Nyirebda.

‘I want to thank the management for giving me this opportunity to be in charge in the absence of the coach [Wedson Nyirenda], especially the chairman,’ Thoka told SuperSport TV after the match.

‘He can see something in me.

‘I don’t want to hurry things I know my chance will come to take over this team permanently. But for now I’m happy that they gave me this opportunity.’

Thoka says that he was pleased with his side’s showing while adding that they gave Sundowns no respect following their dominant display against a team of the Brazilians calibre.

‘I’m very proud of my boys, they did very well I give them credit. They fought. They didn’t respect Sundowns because maybe they are a big team. It’s a big team with quality. The overall performance of my boys I’m very happy,’ he added.

‘Thabiso did well as an experienced player. Sometimes we need experience. He was playing very simple. So I give him the credit.’

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