Mamelodi Sundowns hosting RB Leipzig a reward for their international progress

Mamelodi Sundowns’ quest to dominate the continent and establish a presence in international football is bearing fruit after their exploits caught the attention of RB Leipzig.

Sundowns are set to host Leipzig in an international friendly at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on May 29 – a few days after the final round of the Betway Premiership and the latter stages of the CAF Champions League.

Still in contention to win both the league title and the continental crown, Sundowns are second on the log with 47 points – level with leaders Orlando Pirates – while they are in the Champions League quarter-final. They will be eager to end both campaigns successfully.

Their recent strides have also earned international recognition. Sundowns won a record-extending league title last season, finished as runners-up in the Champions League and qualified for their first FIFA Club World Cup appearance since 2016 after conquering the continent.

Although they endured mixed results at the tournament – beating Ulsan HD FC 1-0, losing 4-3 to Borussia Dortmund and drawing 0-0 with Fluminense FC – they still impressed despite narrowly missing out on the knockout stages.

As a result, Leipzig, who share commercial partners with Sundowns in Puma and Red Bull, have scheduled the international friendly with the South African champions.

“We all followed the FIFA Club World Cup last year and saw their performances, especially when they played Borussia Dortmund,” said Johann Plenge, chief business officer and chair of the board of the Bundesliga side, during a Zoom meeting with South African journalists this week.

“We wanted to have an ambitious opponent. We saw their quality at the Club World Cup. We also know about the domestic success of Sundowns, with them winning the Premiership eight consecutive times.

“So we want to test ourselves against the best teams in town, and we think Sundowns are a perfect match.”

While the decision to stage the match at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium is partly to celebrate the legacy of the person after whom the venue is named, Plenge said the visit will allow them to reminisce about South African football.

The Germany national football team have fond memories of Lucas Moripe, having used it as a training base during the 2010 Fifa World Cup, where they eventually finished third.

“South Africa is a market that is well known in Germany since the 2010 World Cup,” Plenge said. “It’s known for its warm atmosphere, its joyful soccer and its amazing fans.

“We can still hear the vuvuzelas echoing in our ears from 16 years ago, so we are excited to take this step into this new market.”

Leipzig will be in the country as Sundowns’ guests from May 26 to May 30, but they are determined to leave a footprint by expanding their brand and network for future relationships with the country and its clubs, including those in the Premier Soccer League.

“To have a clear picture, it’s important to be on the ground,” Plenge said. “You can’t fully understand the competitiveness or development of a league from the outside.

“That’s why it’s important for us to come into the market, be on the ground, bring something here, build connections and create a base for ongoing exchange with this market. We want to collaborate for several reasons, including the scouting process.”

*Mihlali Baleka is Independent Media's senior football reporter and a panelist on the group's soccer podcast, The D-Line, which is exclusive on our YouTube channel The Clutch