Shalulile sets the record straight on Sundowns exit talks

Peter Shalulile has set the record straight about the speculation surrounding his future at Mamelodi Sundowns and shared his thoughts on becoming the PSL’s all-time leading goal scorer.

Prior to the start of the new 2025/26 season, rumours swirled that Shalulile was pushing for a move away from Sundowns. It was reported that the prolific striker was a target for teams like Tunisian giants Esperance, with his departure fueled by a lack of playing time under new coach Miguel Cardoso.

Despite his storied goal-scoring record, the 31-year-old has only made five appearances and scored two goals this season.

Adding fuel to the fire, Shalulile recently deleted all of his Sundowns-related photos from his Instagram account, sparking concern among fans that his time at the club was over.

Shalulile Clears The Air on Sundowns Exit Rumours

Shalulile has now clarified the situation, revealing that his potential exit was stalled by a paperwork dispute. He explained that he personally contacted Sundowns chairman Tlhopane Motsepe to work out his return to the team.

“I’m back. Things didn’t go well, you know. There were discussions and negotiations about paperwork,” Shalulile said. “But I decided to call the chairman, and I told him, ‘Rather, let me come back with my experience and fight for my position.’”

In addition to his return, Shalulile is celebrating another major achievement. With his goal in a 1-0 win against Stellenbosch FC, he officially became the PSL’s all-time top goal scorer with 130 goals, surpassing the previous record of 129 held by Siyabonga Nomvethe.

Shalulile expressed his gratitude to those who have supported him throughout his career.

“First of all, glory to God. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and everyone who played their part in all the success that I have achieved,” he said. “I believe that I wouldn’t have done it without my teammates. I also want to thank the president [Patrice Motsepe] for giving me the opportunity to come to Sundowns.”

He also emphasised the importance of hard work in his success.

“You cannot break records if you’re not putting in the work. If you dream of something and you don’t put the work into it, you won’t achieve it,” he added. “On my off days, I make sure to come to training and do my best to address the things that I know are weaknesses in me.”

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