Cardoso addresses Thapelo Maseko’s future at Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has confirmed that talented winger Thapelo Maseko will remain at the club, despite the player’s recent frustrations and interest from other teams.

Cardoso’s comments come amid ongoing transfer drama at Sundowns, with star players like Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Khuliso Mudau reportedly receiving offers and expressing a desire to leave. The duo has not played for the Tshwane giants in the 2025/26 season and they are not even training with the team.

Ribeiro in particular is trying to force a move away. He has even approached FIFA, with his legal representation handled by renowned Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, who was behind the landmark 1995 Bosman ruling.

Recently, Maseko took to Instagram to voice his own frustrations, feeling overlooked by the coaching staff despite putting in hard work during training. The speedy winger was also the subject of a transfer offer from Cypriot side Aris Limassol, which did not materialise.

Speaking to the media on Saturday after Sundowns were knocked out in the MTN8 semi-finals by Orlando Pirates, Cardoso was clear about Maseko’s future.

“He (Maseko) will be with us after the window closed. Why should he not be here?” Cardoso stated. “He’s a Mamelodi Sundowns player, he’s part of the squad, and as I see it, I think the club has no intentions to let him go.”

The coach hinted that Maseko’s role could become more significant, especially with Ribeiro’s situation. “When you don’t have Lucas Ribeiro playing on the right, he’s a player who can play in that position,” Cardoso explained. “He’s trying to fight for his place, and I want my players to have motivation.”

Cardoso emphasised that every player is a valued member of the squad. “All players are part of the team; there’s no one in the group that we don’t count.”

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