Predicting Mamelodi Sundowns' XI to faced Chippa United in PSL opener - Peter Shalulile & Lucas Ribeiro Costa back for the Brazilians after reported transfer push?

The Brazilians travel to Gqeberha to face the Chilli Boys in their first Premier Soccer League match of the 2025/26 season.

Mamelodi Sundowns begin their bid for a ninth consecutive PSL title when they take on Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

The Tshwane giants have been dominating the league and would want to continue with their supremacy.

GOAL predicts how coach Miguel Cardoso could pick his starting lineup on Saturday.

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GOALKEEPER: Ronwen Williams
After keeping a clean sheet in the MTN8 quarter-finals against Richards Bay last weekend, Williams would want to continue on that path again and start the PSL campaign on a high.

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RIGHT-BACK: Zuko Mdunyelwa
With Khuliso Mudau said to be pushing for a move away from Chloorkop, Cardoso turned to Mdunyelwa last week and it might continue that way.
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LEFT-BACK: Aubrey Modiba
After the coach preferred Divine Lunga at the end of last season, Modiba was back to reclaim his place against Richards Bay.

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CENTRE-BACK: Grant Kekana
Kekana was steely at the back last weekend to help Sundowns avoid conceding and that could be something to make Chippa forwards worried.
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CENTRE-BACK: Keanu Cupido
A watertight partnership at the heart of defence has been established between Cupido and Kekana.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDER: Teboho Mokoena
The influential player is one of the first names on coach Miguel Cardoso's teamsheet.
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDER: Marcelo Allende
The diminutive linkman complements Mokoena well in the Masandawana engineroom and that helps them dominate games.
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ATTACKING MIDFIELFER: Themba Zwane
The Portuguese coach now seems to trust Zwane following some backlash from fans after freezing out his captain in the CAF Champions League final last season.
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RIGHT ATTACKER: Lucas Ribeiro Costa
Another player who was reportedly pushing for a Masandawana exit, Ribeiromissed last weekend's game against Richards Bay but could be back to torment the Chilli Boys.
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LEFT-ATTACKER: Tashreeq Matthews
This is a player who is very much trusted by Cardoso and might need to justify why he is regularly selected.
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CENTRE-FORWARD: Iqraam Rayners
His two goals against the Natal Rich Boyz were warning shots fired by Rayners about what to expect from him this season.