Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Why defender joined Chiefs, Ribeiro’s new team, transfer updates & more

Published on by

Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Why defender joined Chiefs, Ribeiro’s new team, transfer updates & more

Latest Mamelodi Sundowns news, including defender explaining why he ditched Masandawana for Kaizer Chiefs, Lucas Ribeiro unveiled by his new team and more.

Rama opens up about leaving Sundowns

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele has revealed why he surprisingly left the club despite achieving such great success at Chloorkop.

The 36-year-old called time on his 20-yearlong successful and controversy-free football career. A fighter on the field of play and father, and son off the pitch, the former South African national U20 & U23 captain tried to fight back tears but couldn’t as he listened to video messages of his mother Ramatsobana Moshopiadi Mphahlele and his two kids Ofentse and Reitumetse.

His decision to leave Masandawana was purely down to liberating his family he admitted and joining Kaizer Chiefs afforded him the opportunity to be able to do that.

“A lot of people don’t know the reason I left Sundowns, my sister wanted to go to varsity. She didn’t have money,” Rama told Metro FM.

“I wasn’t making that much. My brother was finishing [high school], he wanted to go to university, so for me I wanted to liberate my people hence I made certain decisions in life.

“Mom didn’t have a house and I just wanted to see them well off. My brother finished his BCom, my sister is an electrical engineer. My heart is pure. I didn’t make decisions for me. I made them so that my people can have a better life because if I didn’t give them a better life, no one was going to give them a better life.

Mamelodi Sundowns Fans
Mamelodi Sundowns fans

“Mom wasn’t working, Dad wasn’t supporting us so I was the only option. From where I’m from, there’s not too many options.

“I come from nothing and some decisions I made, I was scared that if I don’t liberate my family and take them to school then they’ll forever be my burden. So, but I needed to make certain decisions for them [siblings] to go to school.

“And when I left Sundowns then I could afford to take them to school,” Rama further explained.

Tough but against Sundowns, but…

Kaizer Chiefs winger Asanele Velebayi says the club will approach Saturday’s clash against African champions Mamelodi Sundowns with confidence.

Amakhosi head into the highly anticipated Betway Premiership encounter on the back of a positive start to the campaign, with their midweek victory over Sekhukhune United moving them to the top of the table.

Velebayi believes Chiefs can use that momentum as they prepare for a significantly tougher challenge against Sundowns, who come into the fixture as the reigning African champions.

“For me, coming from a decent pre-season I would say – continuing to look forward and looking forward to build from [the start we’ve had],” he said.

“We’re playing against the African champions so it’s going to be rough, but we have confidence from our last game. The confidence is high; the mentality is right because we know what is required.

Chiefs will be looking to match Sundowns’ intensity while ensuring they do not allow the occasion to affect their approach.

Asanele Velebayi, Kaizer Chiefs
Asanele Velebayi, Kaizer Chiefs

For Velebayi, maintaining composure could be just as important as the tactical battle, particularly with a packed FNB Stadium expected to add another dimension to the encounter.

“The pressure is there, we need to stay calm throughout the game, stick to the game plan, put the team first and approach the game with the right mentality,” he concluded.

Ribeiro finds a new team

Esperance Sportive De Tunis have announced the signing of Lucas Ribeiro Costa on a 3-year deal till June 2029.

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

Willis Sob

Author

  • Football Odds
  • Sports Journalism
  • Football

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.

You May Also Like