African champions versus Germans: prediction for Hertha vs Mamelodi Sundowns — 21.07.2026
Hertha Berlin
Mamelodi Sundowns
On Tuesday, July 21, the Austrian town of Mondsee will host an international friendly between Berlin’s Hertha and South African powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns. The clash is set for the Mondseeland arena and kicks off at 17:00 local time. For the German side, this will be their fifth pre-season test this summer, while the reigning CAF Champions League winners are just regaining match sharpness after a lengthy break.
Hertha: four wins and 30 goals scored
Stefan Leitl's squad kicked off their pre-season by racking up four straight victories. First, the Berliners demolished Fronauer 15-0, then cruised past Lichtenberg 9-0 and Lokomotive Leipzig 3-1. Their first real test came during their training camp in Austria, where they edged out local Bundesliga side WSG Tirol 3-2.
The hero of that match was Kevin Sessa, who bagged a brace, while the winner came from 18-year-old Jelani Ndi. In total, Hertha have scored 30 goals and conceded just three across four summer matches. However, the Tirol encounter highlighted that the team still struggles defensively when losing possession and playing with a high back line.
Leitl has taken 28 players to the Austrian camp. The call-up list includes experienced names like Paul Seguin, Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson, Marton Dardai, and Deyovaisio Zeefuik, as well as promising youngsters Jerome Diallo, Mason Grote, Boris Mamuzah Lum, and Ndi. Hertha’s roster has seen significant changes this summer, so the coaching staff continues to search for the best combinations and is actively rotating the squad.
Mamelodi Sundowns: African champions start a new preparation cycle
Mamelodi Sundowns arrive as CAF Champions League holders. In the final, the South Africans overcame Moroccan side AS FAR with a 2-1 aggregate victory. The decisive goal in the second leg was scored by Teboho Mokoena, and keeper Ronwen Williams sealed the triumph by saving a late penalty.
Domestically, Miguel Cardoso’s men finished second, just a single point behind Orlando Pirates. So, while it was a triumphant season internationally, the club enters the new campaign hungry for national glory.
The Sundowns’ last official match was back on May 24, a 1-1 draw with AS FAR. Their scheduled friendly against Salzburg in Austria was cancelled, making this clash with Hertha their first full match of pre-season. That gives the Berliners an edge in match fitness, but Sundowns present a much higher-quality and more experienced test than Hertha’s previous opponents.
Probable lineups
Hertha: Gersbeck — Eichberger, Gechter, Dardai, Zeefuik — Seguin, Sessa — Winkler, Brekalo, Thorsteinsson — Grønning.
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams — Mudau, Kekana, Coetzee, Modiba — Mokoena, Mhluli, Allende — Saleng, Reiners, Shalulile.
Neither club has released their official starting elevens or final medical updates yet. With the friendly nature of the match, expect plenty of substitutions at halftime and throughout the second half.
Match facts
- Hertha have won all four pre-season matches, with a combined goal difference of 30:3.
- Against their toughest summer opponent, WSG Tirol, the Berliners both scored and conceded at least twice.
- Mamelodi Sundowns haven’t played an official match in almost two months.
- These teams have never faced each other before.
Rotation and differing match sharpness promise goals: Hertha vs Mamelodi Sundowns prediction
Hertha are further along in their preparations. The Berliners have already played four matches, regularly create chances, and are gradually increasing the calibre of their opposition. Sessa, Grønning, and the youthful attacking talents look sharp, so the German side should have plenty of opportunities against opponents who are yet to hit their stride.
However, banking on another clean sheet for Hertha would be risky. Sundowns boast technically gifted attackers, and the likes of Mokoena, Allende, Reiners, and Shalulile are capable of exploiting space. Hertha’s back line already showed some frailties against WSG Tirol, and wholesale substitutions in the second half could open things up even further.
Picking a winner in a friendly with heavy rotation is a gamble. The safer bet is on goals: Hertha’s match fitness, the attacking firepower of the African champions, and experimental defensive lineups all point towards at least three goals on the night.
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals.
