Sundowns probe analyst over alleged information leak ahead of MC Alger showdown

Masha, who has been part of the Sundowns technical team since 2015, is only under investigation and remains innocent until proven guilty. He has previously worked under head coaches Pitso Mosimane and Rhulani Mokwena, the latter now in charge of MC Alger.

The upcoming Group C fixture in Pretoria carries high stakes for Sundowns, who must win to avoid an early elimination from the competition. A failure to secure victory would see the Brazilians exit the group stages for only the second time since lifting the CAF Champions League title in 2016.

The situation came to light following comments from Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso after Sunday’s 1-1 draw against St Eloi Lupopo in Lubumbashi.

“We hope that on the day of the match we have a full stadium to support the team, and nothing more. I hope the opponent doesn’t guess or know how we are going to play. I hope that is controlled so we can make it a fair game from our side,” Cardoso said told the media.

Masha’s coaching resume includes a spell as a youth coach at New York Red Bulls and a stint at Maritzburg United, now operating as Durban City, before joining Sundowns. His role as a technical analyst has been central to the club’s tactical planning in domestic and continental competitions over the past eight years.

Sundowns have not released an official statement regarding the investigation, but the timing of the suspension has raised eyebrows ahead of a match that could determine their fate in the CAF Champions League.