Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: HUGE exit at Downs, transfer news & more

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Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: HUGE exit at Downs, transfer news & more

The latest Mamelodi Sundowns news in the last 24 hours, including a massive exit at the club, why a star is not in Austria with Masandawana, why Khuliso Mudau is rated highly, and more.

Major exit at Masandawana

Mamelodi Sundowns have agreed to part ways with Portuguese midfielder Miguel Reisinho after just one season at Chloorkop, with the club moving swiftly to target Argentine midfielder Mateo Tanlongo as his replacement, according to FARPost.

The 27-year-old Portuguese linkman did not return for training after the off-season break, triggering speculation that he could be on his way out of the club. But this publication has now been informed that Reisinho will not be back to continue with his career with the African champions.

He is not part of the group currently in Austria for pre-season camp. The central midfielder joined Sundowns as a free agent in September 2025 after leaving Boavista FC.

He arrived at Masandawana with a lot of pressure on him, having spent six seasons in Liga Portugal. After enjoying regular football during his last two seasons with Boavista, Reisinho then moved to Sundowns at the peak of his career.

But it did not work out for him as expected with the Brazilians. Just six Premier Soccer League appearances, two in cup games and four CAF Champions League matches left Reisinho frustrated.

Miguel Reisinho.
Miguel Reisinho. Photo – Mamelodi Sundowns

Masandawana have made a midfielder from Argentina, Mateo Tanlongo, a transfer target. A former Argentina Under-20 international, the 22-year-old has been with Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon since January 2023.

But Tanlongo’s time at the Liga Portugal side has been punctuated by loan stints at FC Copenhagen, Rio Ave FC and Cypriot side Pafos FC. Reisinho’s departure opens a spot for Sundowns to sign and register another non-South African player.

Sundowns in pre-season without their star

Mamelodi Sundowns have reportedly been forced to continue their pre-season preparations in Austria without one of their key attacking options ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Winger Monnapule Saleng has been sidelined by injury and did not travel with Miguel Cardoso’s squad for the European training camp, according to KickOff.

The 28-year-old missed the trip as the Brazilians stepped up preparations for the new season with a number of high-profile friendly matches.

Sources close to the situation have indicated that Saleng recently picked up an injury, although the nature and severity of the setback remain unclear.

Monnapule Saleng warming up for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Monnapule Saleng warming up for Mamelodi Sundowns. . Image: Mamelodi Sundowns

Despite missing the camp, Saleng remains firmly in Cardoso’s plans after completing his high-profile move from Orlando Pirates in January after being loaned out to Orbit College.

Mudau lauded by Komphela

Mamelodi Sundowns senior coach Steve Komphela believes that Khuliso Mudau has earned being mentioned among great right-backs in the country and even ranks higher in the coach’s opinion.

“I look at Sailor, and I see him on par if not better than the likes of Ewie [Kambule] and Sizwe [Motaung],” Komphela told iDiski Times.

“You think Pa Gaxa, Jimmy Tau and Lucky Lekgwathi as some of the best exponents of the position we’ve had in this country yet, in my opinion and with utmost respect to these players, Sailor is the best right-back South Africa has had.”

Meanwhile, the World Cup provided a platform for players to be seen by international scouts with some of Mudau’s national teammates making moves.

Komphela added that it’s not such a big issue for Mudau to make an international transfer as the environment at his club is nurturing and rewarding.

“Sundowns is a highly competitive environment and highly rewarding as well, so a Sundowns player is not going to be easily tempted to move to change the environment for economic reasons,” added the coach.

“Their economic situation is competent, so for him to move would depend on the issue of luck; the opportunity of the player transfer is about the opportunity to go and the club’s willingness to let go of such a player.

Khuliso Mudau in training for Mamelodi Sundowns
Khuliso Mudau in training for Mamelodi Sundowns

“In Sailor’s case, when coach Rulani [Mokwena] left, Sailor could have gone, but such opportunities are dependent also on who handles your affairs.

“You need a George Mendes-type agent who can open massive opportunities for you as a player, but as I said, if you are a Sundowns player, the move is not something you are necessarily chasing, given the great environment they are in,” he concluded.

<!-- 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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