Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has confirmed that he intends to trim his squad to a lean but quality team ahead of next season.
Sundowns ended their Club World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against Fluminense on Wednesday, which saw them finish the tournament third in Group F with four points, and the club will now look to shakeup the squad ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Sundowns have so far released out-of-contract Sipho Mbule and Rivaldo Coetzee while Lucas Suarez went back to his club following the end of his six-month loan deal.
But following Cardoso’s sentiments, who is in danger of facing the chop?
Peter Shalulile
Already a club legend, Shalulile is coming to the end of his contract and there has been no indication whether he will be given a new one.
While Themba Zwane (35) and Dennis Onyango (40) have been handed extended stays, Shaulile, 31, who is much younger is still waiting and his reduced gametime in the just-ended season suggests he might be surplus to requirements.
Neo Maema
Another one who has been at the club for a considerable period of time, Maema’s four-year stay at Sundowns looks to have come to an end as he has been a bit-part player throughout the season.
He has been heavily linked to Orlando Pirates which looks like could offer him a soft landing.
Mothobi Mvala
Another out of contract star who has fallen down the pecking order is defender Mothobi Mvala, who managed just 10 games last season, four in the PSL, indicating that he is not in coach Cardoso’s plans.
Thembinkosi Lorch
He may not be at the club right now and even after impressing on loan at Wydad, Thembinkosi Lorch has no future at Chloorkop and Sundowns will be grateful that he has revived his career, which means a higher transfer fee from his suitors.
Kobamelo Kodisang
The winger returned to South Africa from Portugal with high hopes of lighting up the PSL but that has not happened, managing just 13 appearances last season, and the last straw was when he was omitted from the Club World Cup squad.
Lebo Mothiba
Handed a short-term deal until the end of the season, the former Strasbourg striker has struggled to break into the team with his first game being in the CAF Champions League final second leg as well as a cameo in the Club World Cup, scoring against Dortmund, but his injury record suggests Sundowns will likely move him on.
Jody February
The goalkeeper has been happy to be third-choice for two years but now is the right time to look for regular playing time and with his contract ending, Sundowns are likely to cut ties after he was not selected to the Club World Cup squad.
Terrence Mashego
The left-back has found it hard to dislodge Aubrey Modiba and Divine Lunga for a regular spot and with one year remaining on his deal, this is perhaps time for Sundowns to cash in.
Thapelo Maseko
Still just 21, the winger has not been fully utilised and will likely find gametime hard to come by next season again hence the need to move on either on loan or permanently to a club that will allow him to blossom.
Siyanda Nyanga
The 24-year-old midfielder has struggled to break into the team with injuries also hampering him. This could be the best time for pastures new as he is wasting his prime years at Chloorkop.
