Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Bids for Bafana keeper rejected, decision on Mailua made & more

Latest on Mamelodi Sundowns, including the club’s firm stance on Ricardo Goss, Cassius Mailula’s surprise return to Chloorkop and Hlompho Kekana’s message to Lucas Ribeiro.

Mamelodi Sundowns block keeper’s exit

Mamelodi Sundowns have turned down a string of loan approaches from Betway Premiership clubs for goalkeeper Ricardo Goss, with the Tshwane giants intent on keeping the Bafana Bafana shot-stopper as part of their squad for the 2026/27 campaign as per SABC.

Goss is expected to report at Sundowns’ pre-season camp in Austria next week following his return from the FIFA World Cup. Though he did not feature for Hugo Broos’ side in the tournament itself, he was a valued presence within the Bafana dressing room throughout the campaign.

The ‘keeper joined the Brazilians from the now-defunct Bidvest Wits in 2020 but has spent the bulk of his time at Chloorkop out on loan, most recently featuring for Siwelele FC — the club formed after the sale of SuperSport United — where he re-established himself as one of the league’s most reliable goalkeepers.

With Ronwen Williams expected to remain Miguel Cardoso’s first-choice ‘keeper, Goss will compete with Jody February, Denis Onyango and Reyaad Pieterse for game time as Sundowns brace for another demanding domestic and continental calendar.

Mailula on his way back to Sundowns

In one of the more surprising transfer developments of the pre-season window, former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Cassius Mailula is set to return to Chloorkop after parting ways with MLS club Toronto FC.

The 25-year-old South Africa international’s agency P-Management confirmed his exit from the Canadian club last week, with his contract — originally due to expire in December — mutually terminated mid-season.

Mailula had moved to Toronto in 2023 in a reported $1.6-million deal, but was unable to nail down a regular starting berth and spent time out on loan at Wydad Athletic Club and Belgian side KV Kortrijk. Across those spells, he racked up 48 appearances for the three clubs combined, contributing eight goals and eight assists.

According to iDiski Times, Mailula will travel with the Sundowns squad to their Austria pre-season camp, signalling that a return to Chloorkop is all but confirmed.

Kekana urges Ribeiro to swallow his pride

Mamelodi Sundowns legend Hlompho Kekana has weighed in on the ongoing saga surrounding Brazilian striker Lucas Ribeiro, expressing hope that the forward could one day find his way back to the club — but insisting any return would require some honest self-reflection from the player.

Ribeiro terminated his Sundowns contract in August last year despite having a deal in place until 2028, with his legal representatives invoking the so-called Diarra ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union to argue he was entitled to leave without the club’s consent and obtain an International Transfer Certificate.

The core dispute is now headed to the FIFA Football Tribunal, a process that typically takes between one and two years to resolve. Kekana acknowledged the club still holds affection for the player and would be open to reconciliation.

“We all know that he is a good boy, whatever happened after the Club World Cup really spoiled the good thing he had with the club,” Kekana said on SABC as per iDiski Times.

“Of course, as people we always don’t see eye to eye but one day we sit down, speak and we shake hands. I just hope that if he wants to play for Mamelodi Sundowns, he can swallow his pride and accept that he was wrong.”