Sundowns join Europe's elite in KDB Cup

Global football icon Kevin De Bruyne, who plays for Manchester City and Belgium, has had his name proudly associated with the KDB Cup since its inaugural edition in 2016.

It is now considered the most prestigious youth tournament in Europe. The sixth edition of the hugely popular two-day event will take place in Belgium on 10 and 11 June 2023.

This year, the tournament will be global for the first time, with representatives from three continents, including South America, Europe and Africa.

Mamelodi Sundowns Chairman Tlhopie Motsepe said an overwhelming sense of excitement and emotion coursed through the club after the youth team was confirmed as KDB Cup participants for 2023.

"Our club and supporters are very excited for our academy players. As much as we know that this is a wonderful opportunity to expose our youngsters to different styles of football and a different way of life; we also believe that this is an opportunity for our youth team to expose the participating clubs to African football and African friendship.

I would like to thank Kevin De Bruyne and our associates at Roc Nation Sports International for making this possible for the Under-15s."

Sundowns will join the likes of Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

The inclusion of Mamelodi Sundowns U15 is a major accomplishment for a club that is known as an ambitious, inspiring, and dynamic organisation that aspires to be the biggest African football team in the world.

De Bruyne, who has previously played alongside African stars such as Kelechi Iheanacho, Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony at Manchester City, welcomed the addition of Mamelodi Sundowns to a star-studded roster of participants for the 2023 KDB Cup.

"It's a proud moment for me to welcome Mamelodi Sundowns as the first African team to participate in the tournament. We are well aware of the success and values Mamelodi Sundowns stands for as a club, and I have no doubt their youth team will be a wonderful addition to the team roster. I'm so excited to meet the Sundowns team, and can't wait to see our South African friends in June. Best of luck!"