South Africa’s DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns will go head-to-head with Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal on Friday 26 July in a bid to prepare for the 2024/2025 season.
The news were confirmed by Al Hilal on their social media platforms when they posted their fixtures for the five friendly matches that they will play in preparation for the upcoming season.
The Saudi side had an impressive 2023/2024 season where they clinched the league title with 96 points, enjoying a 14 gap between them and second-place Al-Nassr led by Cristiano Ronaldo. They were also crowned the King Cup and Super Cup winners.
Hilal boasts of a star-studded squad including former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona forward Neymar who is currently in the recovery room having suffered an ACL injury, Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly and Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The Brazilian on the other hand will also be looking to continue riding the wave of their history-making season which saw them win their seventh consecutive league title with 71 points after just suffering one defeat. They opened the season with winning the inaugural African Football League.
Masandawana who are set to be without their coach Rulani Mokwena following news of his departure will be jetting off to Austria for their pre-season camp and will be led by senior coach Manqoba Mngqithi who has been tasked with overseeing their training.
