RB Leipzig Tantang Mamelodi Sundowns di Stadion Lucas Moripe

Klub Bundesliga Jerman, RB Leipzig, dijadwalkan bertanding melawan juara Liga Champions CAF, Mamelodi Sundowns, dalam laga persahabatan bertajuk Red Bull Diski Last Namba di Stadion Lucas Moripe pada Jumat, 29 Mei 2026 malam waktu setempat.

Pertandingan ini menjadi momen perdana bagi Mamelodi Sundowns untuk mengenakan jersi dengan dua bintang setelah baru saja mengamankan gelar kontinental kedua mereka pekan lalu.

Gelandang Mamelodi Sundowns, Tashreeq Matthews, menyatakan bahwa prestise menghadapi tim papan atas Jerman menjadi motivasi besar bagi timnya.

"It is something to be proud of. Not too long ago in the final, we played with one star, and now we are going to play against Leipzig, an international team, with a jersey that has two stars on it, something to be proud of," kata Tashreeq Matthews kepada departemen media Sundowns.

Matthews, yang mencetak assist untuk gol penyeimbang Teboho Mokoena melawan AS FAR pada hari Minggu, menambahkan bahwa timnya sangat beruntung dan bersyukur atas pencapaian tersebut.

"It was really fantastic to get another star and to be an African champion; it is very exciting as well," ujar Tashreeq Matthews.

Mengenai gaya permainan tim lawan, Matthews yang memiliki sedikit pengalaman di Jerman memperkirakan laga akan berjalan sangat mengandalkan fisik dan taktik.

"About the assist, last year I missed the opportunity, but this time, I got an assist to score an important goal for us to clinch the title," tutur Tashreeq Matthews.

Skuat Sundowns menargetkan kemenangan penuh demi merayakan kehadiran dua bintang baru di seragam mereka.

"We are overwhelmed. It is something not everyone can get. It is very difficult to get it, and I’m very fortunate and grateful we were able to win the Champions League trophy," ucap Tashreeq Matthews.

Di sisi lain, RB Leipzig telah tiba di Afrika Selatan sejak hari Selasa untuk menjalani rangkaian tur bertajuk "Re Kaofela" yang mencakup berbagai kegiatan budaya dan latihan terbuka.

"Very physical and very tactical in terms of German play style. Playing together as a team is one of their great strengths, if you look at the national team as well," kata Tashreeq Matthews.

Matthews menegaskan kesiapan timnya untuk menghadapi tantangan berat dari klub Eropa tersebut.

"We are looking forward to it; it’s going to be a nice game, and we also want to win since it’s the first time we are playing with two stars on our jersey," ujar Tashreeq Matthews.

Penyerang RB Leipzig, Johan Bakayoko, menegaskan bahwa timnya datang ke Pretoria dengan target mengamankan kemenangan dari sang juara Afrika.

"I expect to see what our opponent is about, but I also expect to win. Sundowns are not from Europe, they are from Africa so they don't have the same way of playing football so I'm really interested to see their style. I heard something about 'show me your number', they say that multiple times, so I want to see what it's all about. I'm expecting to have fun and a good experience." kata Johan Bakayoko saat diwawancarai SABC Sport.

Bakayoko juga menyebut rekan setimnya, Castello Lukeba, telah berhasil memikat hati para penggemar sepak bola di Afrika Selatan selama tur berlangsung.

"I think if someone won the fans hearts it's Castello, I think everyone loves him just the way he is, he is just a nice guy. He loves dancing and creating emotions with people." ujar Johan Bakayoko.

Sementara itu, striker Leipzig asal Brasil, Romulo Cardoso, memberikan pujian tinggi kepada Sundowns sebagai klub yang ambisius dan memiliki reputasi bagus di level internasional.

"I would not have a problem with joining or playing for a team like Sundowns, especially because they are an ambitious team," kata Romulo Cardoso kepada Sunday World di kantor Red Bull, Fourways.

Pemain berusia 24 tahun yang mengemas sembilan gol dan empat assist di musim debutnya di Bundesliga itu mengaku tidak menutup kemungkinan untuk berkarier di Afrika Selatan di masa depan.

"I mean, if it can happen one day [that they show interest], then why not. You must always keep the door open for any team because you never know what could happen," tutur Romulo Cardoso.

Cardoso juga menyoroti kesuksesan Sundowns di kompetisi domestik serta performa apik mereka di Piala Dunia Klub FIFA sebagai bukti kualitas tim.

"They are African champions, so it shows that they are a good team because it is not easy to win the Champions League," ucap Romulo Cardoso.

Penyerang bertalenta ini mengaku sudah mengenal beberapa pemain Brasil yang merumput di Sundowns, termasuk Arthur Sales.

"I know a couple of Brazilian guys here at Sundowns, like Arthur Sales. I knew him before he came here because he also played in Brazil [Vasco da Gama and Bahia]," tambah Romulo Cardoso.

Pertandingan persahabatan antara RB Leipzig melawan Mamelodi Sundowns dijadwalkan melakukan kick-off pada pukul 20.00 waktu setempat.

"I also saw Mamelodi Sundowns at the FIFA Club World Cup as well, and they played very well against some of the best teams in the world, so this game will be difficult, and I hope we can win," kata Romulo Cardoso.