Mamelodi Sundowns have concluded their mid-season training camp in Polokwane ahead of the resumption of the DStv Premiership.
Sundowns returned to their regular training base at Chloorkop on Wednesday following their camp in Polokwane.
After a brief FIFA World Cup break, Masandawana returned to training on 28 November and eventually took their preparations to Polokwane, in what is unusual for clubs to have another pre-season almost midway through the campaign.
It was also the first time the training regimen in a camp had to be overseen by head coach Rulani Mokwena, who had time to implement his new ideas, after only being in charge of two matches before the recess.
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From the reviews of the players, the training camp was intense and challenging but according to Neo Maema, it was also time to build relationships within the squad, off the pitch."It's been difficult, we've been working very hard so, ja but it's been fun being around the guys, spending time to know each other away from home," Maema told the Sundowns media department.
"Although it's not so easy but I think we came here with one purpose to work hard and do the job that is required from us.
"I'm just happy that we could actually finish off the week on a high note," he added.
The Brazilians will resume their season on 30 November, in the biggest game before the New Year, as they host Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Aubrey Modiba, who has not featured under Mokwena after he was suspended for the two matches before the break, believes they achieved their objectives of preparing to defend the league title and the Nedbank Cup.
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Masandawana will also restart the CAF Champions League season in the group stages from February next year.
"It has been a fruitful camp, I think we achieved most of the things that we wanted to achieve, even though it was too demanding," Modiba said to the club's media.
"I think it's part of our job, to be able to do well in the league and obviously there's (CAF) Champions League coming, there's Nedbank (Cup).
"So I think the guys are doing well, we got so many different oppositions and we played well and hopefully we can take it from here and do well in the league and all the competitions we gonna participate in," he concluded.
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