Sundowns legend shares thoughts on Maseko’s ‘concerning situation’

Mamelodi Sundowns legend Hlompho Kekana has shared his thoughts on Thapelo Maseko’s concerning situation at the Tshwane giants.

Kekana’s words come after Maseko poured his heart out on Instagram, most recently about losing the love and passion for the beautiful game due to being sidelined despite pushing hard and giving his best at training.

The 21-year-old has been at Sundowns since July 2023, joining the club from SuperSport United, who recently sold their PSL status to Siwelele FC. However, with Miguel Cardoso at the wheel, Maseko has seen little action on the field of play, making only 14 games in all competitions with one goal to his name last season.

With playing time limited, Maseko was eager to seal a move away from Sundowns, and he was linked with a move to Cyprus’ Aris Limassol. But the move did not materialise, leaving the winger frustrated.

In the new 2025/26 season, Maseko has missed Sundowns’ first two games in the MTN8 quarter-final and the Betway Premiership.

In an Instagram post, Maseko said: “I don’t know when it started, but lately it’s like the fire in me is fading. I still train like my life depends on it, still push through every tired muscle, mental battle, but inside it feels empty.”

Kekana, while speaking on SoccerZone on Monday evening, said that it is clear that Maseko doesn’t want to be at Sundowns, insinuating that the best decision for both parties could be to part ways.

“When you see a player showing his frustrations on social media, it tells you that he doesn’t want to be at that camp,” said Kekana. “So, it would be wise for the two parties to sit down and discuss this, maybe come to an agreement to say, ‘We shake hands, and you go your way, and I will go my way’. If you see a player in that state of mind, I don’t think he is going to play for you in the next season.”

The ex-Sundowns hard-tackling captain added: “I think it has to come from a player and the club regarding how they communicate in these situations. Sometimes I hear a rumour about a team wanting me, so I need to go to the club and tell them what the offer says and let’s make sense of that.

“I cannot just go out when a team from overseas wants me and start saying I want to go. I need to understand that I still have a contract with the team and that there is still a lot of investment in my services.”