South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns have placed performance analyst Mario Masha on precautionary suspension following allegations that sensitive tactical information was leaked to former head coach Rulani Mokwena ahead of Saturday’s crucial CAF Champions League showdown.
Masha, one of the club’s longest-serving backroom staff members who joined during Pitso Mosimane’s era, has reportedly denied any wrongdoing. Despite his stance, the club opted to suspend him pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
Sundowns will host Mokwena’s MC Alger in a decisive final group-stage fixture, with qualification for the CAF Champions League quarter-finals at stake. The winner is set to advance alongside either current group leaders Al Hilal or DR Congo’s Saint Éloi Lupopo.
The stakes were heightened after Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw by Lupopo in Lubumbashi on Sunday, a result that leaves the South African champions needing a win against the Algerian side to secure progression.
In the aftermath of that draw, head coach Miguel Cardoso made a telling remark that sparked speculation.
“We hope that on the day of the match we have a full stadium to support the team, and nothing more. I hope the opponent doesn’t guess or know how we are going to play. I hope that is controlled so we can make it a fair game from our side,” the Portuguese tactician said.
Soon after, reports surfaced linking Masha to the alleged breach, with the analyst identified as the suspected source of the leaked information ahead of Mokwena’s much-anticipated return to Loftus Versfeld.
MC Alger, however, have made their intentions clear ahead of the trip to Pretoria. Mokwena has stressed that his side is focused solely on the task at hand.
“This is not about taking my players to visit friends and family or go on safari,” Mokwena said, underscoring the importance of the fixture, as a win would confirm MC Alger’s place in the knockout rounds.
Masha is now set to appear before an internal disciplinary hearing as he attempts to clear his name in a development that has unsettled the Sundowns camp, given his more than a decade of service to the club.
Saturday’s eagerly awaited encounter is scheduled to kick off at 13:00 GMT.
