Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Mendez’s move to Downs, Allende exit, Cardoso defends players, & more

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Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Mendez’s move to Downs, Allende exit, Cardoso defends players, & more

The latest Mamelodi Sundowns news in the last 24 hours including update on Jhegson Mendez, more on Marcelo Allende’s exit, and more.

Sundowns latest news as they break

Mendez move to Sundowns

Ecuadorian midfielder Jhegson Mendez will reach the end of his contract back home ahead of his move to Mamelodi Sundowns with success.

After being crowned as the champions of Ecuador on Sunday, Mendez will have the Copa Ecuador to add before he then leaves for South Africa. Mendez’s club – Independiente de Valle – are through to the final of the 2026 Copa Ecuador with Universidad Católica their opponents on December 2.

The 29-year-old is then expected to arrive at Sundowns on a free transfer in January. He will play his last match on December 13. Mendez has already agreed what is essentially a two-and-a-half-year deal with an option of a third year.

That deal is subject to him passing his medical upon arrival in South Africa. Sundowns will then announce his signing once he his medical examination has been successful.

Flemming Berg was drenched by irate fans.
Flemming Berg was drenched by irate fans.

He comes in having already played in Brazil, USA, and Spain before and familiar with winning trophies. The only concern is his national team future with doubts lingering about whether he will be called up while playing in South Africa, especially with Ecuador high up in 24th position on the FIFA rankings.

South Americans traditionally attach little value to the PSL.

Allende’s potential departure rubber-stamped

Marcelo Allende’s expected departure from Mamelodi Sundowns upon the expiry of his contract in June 2027 has come with approval from a fellow South American.

The backing of his exit has come from a fellow South American who previously played for Sundowns and understands the dynamics faced by Latinos when performing in the PSL.

Allende has stood out at Chloorkop for his consistency and is already the first player to reach 100 appearances under Miguel Cardoso. He has achieved this feat having already delivered an average of 44 appearances through the last four seasons.

This term, he has played all 20 matches, doing so without showing a hint of a player out of contract in June.

“I think he should change leagues in 2027 to continue growing in his career,” Bryan Aldave said as quoted by KickOff.

“He has achieved a lot with Sundowns. And I think Sundowns will understand [when he leaves].”

Marcello Allende of Mamelodi Sundowns
Marcello Allende. Photo – Mamelodi Sundowns

Aldave spent the last half of the 2007/08 season at the Tshwane giants after being brought in to replace fellow South American Jose Torrealba, who was on his way out to Kaizer Chiefs following an ugly contractual dispute.

He weighed in with five goals in eight starts (plus 10 substitute appearances) in all competitions during his short stay before he was transfer-listed. 

Allende’s final call on the international scene will be in December in Qatar, where Sundowns will play in the FIFA Challenger Cup against the winner of the Derby of the Americas. 

Ndlovu inspired after comparison with Bafana legend

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Siyanda Ndlovu has expressed his delight at being compared to Bafana Bafana legend Doctor Khumalo, stating that the high praise has motivated him to elevate his game and perform at his absolute best.

Cardoso defends his men

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has defended his squad against suggestions that the team may lack the desire to compete at the highest level after reaching the pinnacle of African football last season.

The Brazilians suffered a 3-1 defeat to USM Alger in the CAF Super Cup, adding to their disappointment of being eliminated from the CAF Champions League by Angolan side Williete SC last month.

The successive setbacks have raised questions about whether Sundowns need to refresh their squad, particularly after winning the Champions League last season.

However, Cardoso believes the current squad should not be judged against the team that reached back-to-back Champions League finals and successive semi-finals, highlighting the number of experienced players who have since departed or become unavailable.

“That could be an analysis done very quickly by looking at the CAF results, I don’t think it’s fair to take it literally,” Cardoso told the media.

“Obviously, what is honest is if we make an analysis, take a look at the team that played the two finals of the Champions League and the two semi-finals, and probably look at the team that played today, you see it’s not the same team, it’s another team.

Miguel Cardoso
Coach Miguel Cardoso, Image – Mamelodi Sundowns

“We have lost a lot of players, but we cannot complain. We know we are rebuilding, we know we have quality. Obviously, here and there, we don’t have maturity, which is different. Quality is one thing; maturity is another to play these matches,” he added.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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