Sundowns draw with Hertha in first pre-season game

Mamelodi Sundowns drew 1-1 with German second division outfit Hertha Berlin in the first of their pre-season friendlies at their training camp in Austria on Tuesday.

Hertha opened the score through Leon Jansen, but Sundowns replied four minutes before halftime at the Mondsee Arena through fullback Akhanyile Norwana, who is back at the club after a loan spell at the University of Pretoria.

Sundowns fielded three of their World Cup players in the first half with Aubrey Moidwa, Tebeho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners in the line-up with Khuliso Mudau, Ronwen Williams and Themba Zwane on the bench, and at halftime completely changed the team.

Sundowns were supposed to depart for Austria on July 10, but the shock suicide of Jayden Adams saw them postpone the trip until after the midfielder’s memorial service on Thursday.

They arrived on Friday in Austria and were forced to postpone a planned friendly against Salzburg, who finished third in the Austrian league last season, on Saturday.

Sundowns have a second friendly on Friday when they take on four-time Asian champions Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia.