Outbreak of Ebola in DRC could scupper Sundowns tour

The outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo could scupper Mamelodi Sundowns’ proposed tour of the Central African country for their pre-season preparations.

Sundowns played out a 1-1 draw with crack Botswana outfit Jwaneng Galaxy in Lobatse on Saturday and will play against newly promoted Moropule Wanderers at the National Stadium in Gaborone today.

Kennedy Mweene kept goals for Sundowns while Andile Jali bossed the midfield and new recruit Mauricio Affonso were given a run against the Botswana outfit to claim a stake in the starting eleven and they did not disappoint.

The team was supposed to proceed to Lubumbashi tomorrow to face Don Bosco and TP Mazembe before returning home to finalize preparations for the new season, but a spokesman for the team hinted that the trip to Lubumbashi could be cancelled.

“The team has been monitoring the situation in the DR Congo closely and I have a feeling our proposed trip could be canned due to the outbreak of Ebola in that country,” said a source close to the team.

“A final decision has not been taken yet but that is my feeling from what I have been observing within the camp and should the Lubumbashi tour be cancelled; the team might consider camping in Zambia.”

Sundowns will face Bloemfontein Celtic in the MTN 8 Cup but open their 2019 ABSA Premiership campaign against neighbors SuperSport United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on August 4.