Latest news with #DivineLunga
IOL News
14-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns plans to extend Divine Lunga's contract post-Club World Cup
Mamelodi Sundowns is set to extend Zimbabwean defender Divine Lunga's contract following his impressive performances at the Club World Cup and his key role in their CAF Champions League final run. Picture: Lyn Gleeson/BackpagePix Divine Lunga is in line for an extension on his Mamelodi Sundowns contract following his strong showing at the Club World Cup. The 30-year-old Zimbabwean defender featured in all three matches for Sundowns at the showpiece event, and by all accounts delivered impressive performances. Since Lunga is now in the optional year of his contract, the timing of his strong play could not be better. Having first joined Sundowns back in 2021, Lunga was loaned out for the 2022/2023 season to Golden Arrows.
IOL News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Lunga can provide Divine intervention for Mamelodi Sundowns in Borussia Dortmund Fifa Club World Cup crunch
Divine Lunga (right), seen here in action against Ulsan, says that Mamelodi Sundowns are ready to square off with German giants Borussia Dortmund. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Mamelodi Sundowns are gearing up for their biggest Fifa Club World Cup challenge tomorrow, when they lock horns with Borussia Dortmund at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio (6pm SA time kick-off). Despite being deemed underdogs in this high-stakes encounter, the South African champions are brimming with confidence, ready to make their mark on the global stage. Zimbabwe international Divine Lunga, one of the stand-out players when Sundowns secured a crucial 1-0 victory against South Korea's Ulsan HD in their opening Group F match, said Dortmund are the 'big guns'. Lunga, who was a surprise inclusion ahead of the seasoned Aubrey Modiba against Ulsan, is acutely aware of the formidable reputation of their opponents, but is unfazed by the challenge ahead. Lunga has received great praise in Zimbabwe's media since he is the first player from the southern African nation to play in the Club World Cup, and was part of the first African team to win a match at the tournament. 'Everyone knows what Dortmund are capable of. They are not a small team... they are the big guns,' Lunga asserted. 'Yes, we might be underdogs, but where we come from, people know who Mamelodi Sundowns are, and they know what is going to happen when you meet up with Mamelodi Sundowns.' Eight-time Bundesliga champions Dortmund drew blanks in their opening game on Tuesday against Brazilian heavyweights Fluminense, while Sundowns moved to the top of the log after their 1-0 victory. Lunga praised the team's tactical preparation ahead of the Ulsan clash. Sundowns' triumph over Ulsan was more convincing than the 1-0 score-line suggests, with goal-scorer Iqraam Rayners seeing two more goals disallowed and Cardoso's men commanding 68% of the possession. 'We did well,' he stated, noting how they were able to anticipate Ulsan's game-play effectively. 'When they made changes, we were a bit surprised, but it was still going well on our side. 'I was happy about the win; we gave it our all, and everyone (in the team) fought to get a win. 'They were what we expected because we did analyse the games they had been playing before they came to the Fifa Club World Cup.' Given Dortmund's recent struggles, most notably a disappointing draw with Fluminense, the German side might be more vulnerable than ever. This presents Sundowns with a golden opportunity to secure one of their most illustrious victories to date. Cardoso will have a selection headache because some second-stringers produced superb performances in the opening group match. Newcomer Keanu Cupido, starting at centre-back, was one such player. He showcased his potential with a stellar performance, and emerged as a hero after he prevented a late equaliser with a crucial intervention. Much to the delight of the travelling Sundowns fans, Themba Zwane reclaimed the captain's armband after a nine-month hiatus due to injury. It will be interesting to see if Zwane is again in the starting line-up tomorrow. Tashreeq Matthews, the young winger, came off the bench during Sundowns' impressive victory over Ulsan. If he cracks the selection nod, he'll face his former club, providing a significant narrative twist to an upcoming fixture. While his time on the pitch was limited, Matthews showcased his undeniable talent, getting into superb positions. His ability to find space and create opportunities is a testament to his skills.
TimesLIVE
19-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
‘Everyone knows what Dortmund are capable of': Sundowns brace for step up at CWC
Mamelodi Sundowns might have notched their historic first win at a Fifa Club World Cup (CWC), but they know they will have to step up a gear to be competitive against Borussia Dortmund. The Brazilians registered a crucial win — for many reasons — when they got off to the best possible start beating South Korea's Ulsan HD 1-0 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday night. The result boosts Downs in a number of ways. It was the first by an African team at this year's expanded 32-team CWCin the US, which has been characterised by some mismatched 'rugby' scores in clashes between heavyweights and minnows, though Al-Hilal's draw with Real Madrid lands a confidence-building blow for the minor sides. Sundowns' introduction to the old seven-team CWC in Osaka in 2016 saw something of a baptism of fire, being dismantled 2-0 by host Japanese club Kashima Antlers and 4-1 by Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. That the Brazilians beat an Asian team this time round will spur their confidence that they are a club growing in competitiveness internationally, thanks mainly to their near-decade of strong performances in the Caf Champions League since they won it in 2016. 𝗡𝗢 𝗗𝗡𝗔, 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗦𝗔 🇿🇦 Congratulations to Masandawana on their first historic #FIFACWC win 🙌 Catch the @FIFACWC | June 14 - July 13 | Every game. Free. | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 18, 2025 In Japan Sundowns did not get a crack at one of the bigger clubs, given their early defeats against the Asians. In the US the new format will see them meet German giants Borussia at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday (6pm SA time) and Brazilian outfit Fluminense at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 25 (9pm). Given such a tough Group F, Downs really had to beat Ulsan to stand a chance of progressing. They did, which gives them some boost in belief they can compete better at this CWC than their first. Now coach Miguel Cardoso's team will be out to make life as tough as they can against the group heavyweights — and perhaps get another result that sees them through to the quarterfinals. Divine Lunga, Sundowns' classy Zimbabwean left-back, said the Ulsan win, where the Brazilians enjoyed 70% of possession and had the better chances, has boosted the team on their US adventure. Iqraam Rayners takes his scoring form to the FIFA #CWC2025 ⚽🎯 Watch the FIFA #CWC2025 live in various language options on SuperSport 🗣️🎙️ 📺 Stream #FIFACWC on DStv: #SSFootball | @DAZNFootball — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 18, 2025 'We are still so happy about the win. I think we gave it our all — everyone fought to get a win,' he said. 'Ulsan were what we expected. We analysed their games. When they made their substitutions, their structure started to change a bit — but I think it was going well on our side.' Sundowns will have it far tougher against crack Bundesliga giants Dortmund. Borussia were flat in their opening 0-0 draw against Fluminense, though that match was played at noon heat in New Jersey — midday matches go to European TV audiences at prime time. Dortmund battled in the Bundesliga in 2024-25 but improved after Niko Kovac arrived in February to replace Mike Tullberg and become their third manager of the season, winning seven of their last eight games to end fourth and clinch a Uefa Champions League place. Yellow Nation 👆 Masandawana brought the energy and showed the world who we are! 🌍🙌 #Sundowns #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #AfricaToTheWorld — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) June 18, 2025 Downs were travelling to Cincinnati on Thursday. They also meet Dortmund at noon Ohio time — their match against Ulsan was at 7pm in Orlando — and the heat might act as a leveller or provide challenges. It might also be a factor the South African club, more used to such conditions, could try to exploit. 'It's good to travel on Thursday to get used to Cincinnati because we don't know much about the city,' Lunga said. 'Everyone knows what Dortmund are capable of. They are big guns. But even us — yes, we might be underdogs but I think where we come from, people know who Mamelodi Sundowns are. 'Even Dortmund — I read an interview of their coaches talking about us. So I think it's going to be a tough game.' One downside to Sundowns starting with a win was it alerted the bigger teams in Group F to their potential and gave them a good look at the South African club. Downs will be up against it to produce another win at this CWC — but they will surely not waste any effort trying.
The Citizen
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Lunga unfazed by underdog ahead of Dortmund clash
'We might be underdogs but I think where we come from people know who Mamelodi Sundowns are,' said Lunga. Divine Lunga of Mamelodi Sundowns during the FIFA Club World Cup departure at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, on 08 June 2025 ©Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix Mamelodi Sundowns are so dominant in the South African Betway Premiership that they enter most matches as clear favourites. But Saturday's FIFA Club World Cup clash against German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund is a different prospect altogether. ALSO READ: Cardoso's Zwane u-turn raises more questions than answers Sundowns currently top Group F with three points following their hard-fought 1-0 win over Ulsan HD on Wednesday. However, it's Dortmund who are expected to take control of the upcoming encounter at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. Lunga – 'Everyone knows what Dortmund are capable of' Victory for the Brazilians would secure their place in the knockout stage with one group match to spare. While defender Divine Lunga acknowledges that Sundowns will be viewed as underdogs against the star-studded Bundesliga side, he remains confident in their ability to compete at this level. 'We're traveling on Thursday, and I think it's a good thing that we're traveling early so that we get used to Cincinnati because we don't know much about the city,' he said. 'Everyone knows what Dortmund are capable of. They are not a small team, they are guns but even us we might be underdogs but I think where we come from people know who Mamelodi Sundowns are. 'They know what happens when you meet Sundowns but I think even Dortmund as well. I even read an interview of their coach talking about us so I think it will be a tough game and it's not going to be an easy one.' Lunga was one of the standout performers in the narrow win over Ulsan, where he earned a starting berth ahead of Aubrey Modiba at left-back. The Zimbabwean international, who impressed with a disciplined display, was quick to praise the Sundowns technical team for their tactical preparation. 'I feel happy about the win and I think we gave it our all. Everyone fought and we fought to get the win and I'm happy about the victory. We analysed their games that they played before they [Ulsan] came this side so we expected their approach,' Lunga concluded. Dortmund injuries Dortmund will be without the influential duo of Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can, both sidelined through injury but Sundowns will need to keep a close watch on Dortmund's exciting new signing Jobe Bellingham, who made his debut off the bench in the match against Fluminense. ALSO READ: Sundowns add to Club World Cup loot For Tashreeq Matthews, the encounter offers a unique opportunity to go up against his former club, having come through the Dortmund youth ranks earlier in his career. Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač will look to striker Serhou Guirassy to provide the firepower up front. The Guinea international enjoyed a prolific campaign in Germany, scoring 21 goals in the league.
The South African
31-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Mamelodi Sundowns to announce new deal
Mamelodi Sundowns defender Divine Lunga won't be changing his club colours anytime soon. The Betway Premiership champions have reportedly decided to keep the 30-year-old Zimbabwean for another year. Lunga made his dream move to the big time when he signed for Sundowns in July 2021 from fellow Premier Soccer League side Golden Arrows. Since then, Lunga, who plays his football as a left-back, has played 41 matches for Sundowns, which included three goals and eight assists. Divine Lunga pushes his limits at Chloorkop. Image: Masandawana/X. 'Mamelodi Sundowns have exercised the option in the contract of Zimbabwe international defender Divine Lunga till June 2026,' iDiski Times reported. 'Information gathered by this publication states that Sundowns exercised the option they had in Lunga's contract. He is expected to be with the club until June 2026 with his focus now firmly on the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA next month,' the report added. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
