Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns' captaincy will be contested by Thabo Nthethe and Denis Onyango following Ramahlwe Mphahlele's departure to Kaizer Chiefs.
Mphahlele wore captain's armband and led Downs to the Absa Premiership league title the last season, but opted not to renew his contract with the Chloorkop-based side and subsequently jumped ship, joining Amakhosi.
Sundowns' communications co-ordinator Thulani Thuswa has confirmed that Onyango and Nthethe will be battling for the captaincy in the upcoming campaign.
"In fact, here at Sundowns we had three captains, Ramahlwe (Mphahlele), Nthethe (Thabo) and Onyango (Denis). But since Ramahlwe has left, the coach [Pitso Mosimane] will then have to choose between Nthethe and Onyango.
"We don't have a problem of team leadership here at 'Downs. Nthethe is currently the one carrying the team's captain armband as Onyango is still serving suspension [after being sent off against Madeama FC of Ghana in CAF Champions League]," Thuswa told Vodacom Soccer.
The Brazillians have resumed their CAF Champions League campaign on a high since being promoted back into Africa's big club tournament in May following AS Vita Club's disqualification.
The Mosimane-coached side beat ES Setif 2-0 [who have also since been disqualified] and Enyimba FC 2-1, and need to beat Zamalek on 17 July to strengthen their grip on top spot in Group B.