Downs coach Pitso Mosimane has also brought in Toni Silva, which gives him another option in attack. The coach will have a selection headache, but it’s one he will no doubt appreciate.
Here’s a look at how the Absa Premiership champions could line up next season, in a 4-3-3 formation.
Denis Onyango has made the position in goal his own and looks set to hold on to it going into the new season. Razak Brimah, the second choice shot-stopper, is likely to leave the club to open up a foreign slot which is going to be taken up by Silva. It’s unclear if Sundowns will keep Thela Ngobeni who is due to return from a loan spell at Free State Stars, though Mosimane has recently admitted it may be time to let go of him permanently.
The left-back position is currently owned by Tebogo Langerman, one of the team’s most consistent performers. At right-back, Thapelo Morena could win the race for a starting place ahead of Anele Ngcongca. In central defence, Sundowns look a lot more solid when Ricardo Nascimento is around. The Brazilian is likely to be partnered by Motjeka Madisha.
The addition of Jali means Mosimane may have to do some reshuffling to accommodate the man who was also linked with Kaizer Chiefs and his former side Orlando Pirates. Mosimane could play Jali, Tiyani Mabunda and Hlompho Kekana in a three-man midfield.
At the moment Percy Tau remains a Sundowns player, but Mosimane recently revealed that there are clubs in France and England that are interested in signing the PSL Footballer of the Season. Should he not make a move overseas, Tau will no doubt carry on as the main man in Sundowns’ attack. He’s likely to have Sibusiso Vilakazi and Gaston Sirino in a three-man attack, though Mosimane could at times sacrifice one of these two players for Themba Zwane, another key figure in the side.