Three key players at Mamelodi Sundowns

In a new series looking at all 16 Premier Soccer League clubs, we assess who have been three key players at title-chasing Mamelodi Sundowns this season among their array of stars.

ANDILE JALI

Jali has seen a revival in his career this season after a lean spell and has been the heartbeat of the Sundowns midfield.

The 30-year-old returned to the PSL and Sundowns from a stint in Belgium in the 2018/19 season, but failed to find form and was used sparingly by Mosmane.

But he has been back to his best in this campaign and at times almost dragging the side through games single-handedly.

He was part of the University of Pretoria side that made the 2009 Nedbank Cup final, though he was suspended for the decider, and has since shone at Orlando Pirates and in Belgium with KV Oostende.

THEMBA ZWANE

Zwane is perhaps the most technically gifted player in South Africa, showing immense quality on the ball.

Much of Sundowns’ good attacking play comes through him and he is both a scorer and creator of goals.

He is a versatile star who can feature on the wing or more centrally, and after a slow start to his Sundowns career in which he took three seasons to establish himself, he is now one of the first names on Mosimane’s teamsheet.

He has already netted 12 goals in all competitions this season, his best return and a sign of his value to the side.

GASTON SIRINO

The tricky Uruguayan forward has immense skill and can produce something from nothing, often turning an innocuous piece of play into a match-winning moment.

If teams allow Sirino too much time on the ball he will cut them apart, with the ability to unlock even the most stubborn defences.

The 29-year-old joined Sundowns in January 2018 and has been a regular ever since, scoring five goals this campaign to help his side to the Telkom Knockout trophy.

He does have a petulant side that can get him into trouble, and he will serve a two-match suspension on football’s return, but when he is on song there are no better playmakers in the league.