Mamelodi Sundowns legend Surprise Moriri says the upcoming exhibition match against Red Bull Leipzig will serve as a valuable benchmark for the club ahead of the new season.
The Brazilians are set to host the German Bundesliga outfit on 29 May in a fixture that forms part of a broader partnership between the two clubs and one of their key sponsors.
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Moriri acknowledged the friendly nature of the match but was clear that competitive standards would not be lowered when the two sides meet on the field.
“It’s an exhibition match where the partnership will be strengthened, but when it gets to the business of the day which is on the field, obviously they have to be competitive, because both are big teams with major aspirations,” Moriri said.
The Sundowns development coach expressed genuine admiration for Leipzig’s identity, noting what the encounter could reveal about his team’s standing on the global stage – where they recently impressed at the FIFA Club World Cup.
“We have to make sure we’re ready for them because it’s a very interesting team, I must say, in terms of their culture, and also how they play – I think it’s very interesting. I know for us it will also give us an indication of where we are in terms of global football,” he said.
Moriri also revealed that the match could provide an opportunity for younger players on both sides to get game time, with Leipzig’s Head of Academy having hinted at bringing through some of their brightest young talents on tour.
“I’m really looking forward to it, I know our boys will be ready for this game, a very interesting one – hopefully we will use some of the youngsters in order to get a run on the day, as much we heard their head of academy saying – maybe some youngsters will be given a chance to be part of the tour in South Africa,” Moriri said.
“It’s needed to make sure you keep the dream alive [for youth], so I’m looking forward to it, the 29th of May – a game where we will test each other and make sure this partnership, with Red Bull, is grown and in future, hopefully we can exchange programs and personnel.”
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