Spygate | Mamelodi Sundowns try to block out 'Mario Masha noise' ahead of Rulani Mokwena meeting

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana says the senior players are doing their best to shield the youngsters from the "outside noise" currently surrounding the team, as they want to focus on playing football and leave management to handle off-field drama.

The Brazilians have been under heavy scrutiny since the start of the season, facing criticism for deviating from the traditional "Shoeshine and Piano" style that previously delivered results and entertainment in equal measure.

That pressure has reached fever pitch this week, with coach Miguel Cardoso and sporting director Flemming Berg becoming targets for frustrated supporters. The team currently finds itself on the brink of a rare CAF Champions League group-stage exit, sitting third in Group C with six points, trailing Al Hilal (8) and MC Alger (7).

Speaking during the Nedbank Cup last-16 draw in Randburg on Wednesday — where Sundowns were paired with fellow top-flight side TS Galaxy away in Mbombela — Kekana addressed the role of the club's veterans.

“There’s a lot of noise surrounding us at the moment. But it happens when you’ve been at the top for so long,” Kekana said. “I think it’s something that, as senior players, we need to tell the youngsters not to focus too much on. Everyone wants to take the throne from us. It doesn’t get to us. Our job is on the field.”

The "noise" has been amplified by a shocking internal scandal. Long-serving performance analyst Mario Masha was suspended on Tuesday following allegations that he leaked tactical information and training footage to former head coach Rulani Mokwena, who returns to Loftus Versfeld this Saturday in charge of MC Alger.

While Masha has reportedly denied the claims, the timing could not be worse. Cardoso appeared to reference the leak after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with St. Eloi Lupopo, stating he hoped the upcoming encounter would be a "fair game" where the opponent doesn't "guess or know" their tactics.

Asked how the squad responded to the allegations involving Masha, who has been at Chloorkop for over a decade, Kekana remained diplomatic.

“I think my job is just to play football,” Kekana said. “The technical team and management are taking care of that, so that’s all I can say on the situation. We have to do our best to get back to where we were. I don’t think we are far off; it’s just about that rub of the green going our way.”

Sundowns face a "do-or-die" Valentine’s Day clash against Mokwena’s Alger on Saturday, 14 February 2026. Anything less than a victory could see the 2016 champions eliminated before the knockout rounds for the first time in nearly a decade.