BREAKING: Siyabonga Mabena to Miss Sundowns' Austria Pre-Season Tour

Mamelodi Sundowns will be without one of their brightest young talents during the next phase of their pre-season preparations, with Siyabonga Mabena set to miss the club's international training camp in Austria. The 19-year-old forward has reportedly been granted special leave by the club to attend important cultural rites in his hometown. As a result, he will not be part of the travelling squad for the second leg of Sundowns' European pre-season tour. The Brazilians are scheduled to continue their preparations in Austria, where they will take on top international opposition in a series of high-profile friendly matches as they gear up for the 2026/27 campaign. Although Mabena's absence means he will miss valuable training sessions and competitive pre-season fixtures, the club fully supports his temporary leave, with the expectation that he will return to the squad after completing his cultural commitments. The talented attacker is regarded as one of Mamelodi Sundowns' most exciting young prospects, and the technical team remains confident that he will quickly reintegrate into the squad upon his return. Sundowns continue to prepare for another demanding season, with ambitions of defending their domestic titles while competing strongly in continental and international competitions. Every player will be expected to contribute, and Mabena is still expected to play an important role once he rejoins the team. His temporary absence will also provide other young players with an opportunity to impress the coaching staff during the Austrian training camp. Supporters will undoubtedly look forward to seeing Mabena back in action after he rejoins the squad, ready to continue his development in the famous yellow and blue colours. 💬 What do you think? Can Siyabonga Mabena make a strong impact for Mamelodi Sundowns despite missing part of the club's pre-season preparations? Share your thoughts below