Top Five Players Who Could Seek Sundowns Exit Following January Transfers

Mamelodi Sundowns transfers have jolted the Betway Premiership window with the surprise signing of winger Monnapule Saleng from Orlando Pirates, an addition that immediately intensifies competition across the front line and wide areas at Chloorkop.

The move comes after an already busy season of squad building that strengthened midfield with Miguel Reisinho (Boavista, free) and Nuno Santos (Vitória Guimarães, fee), plus local reinforcements such as Fawaaz Basadien and the MLS-loan arrival of Tsiki Ntsabeleng. That depth will squeeze minutes for several incumbents in the second half of 2025/26.

Saleng arrives after a productive loan spell at Orbit College after 11 league matches, 2 goals, and 3 assists, a set of outputs that should see him contend immediately for minutes in Sundowns’ front three.

Below, we assess five players who could realistically seek a move (permanent or loan) to secure game time and keep international ambitions on track.

1) Peter Shalulile (CF) – Minutes Trending Down, Competition Trending Up

Shalulile remains one of the PSL’s elite forwards, but his usage has dipped this term. In league play, he has 9 appearances (6 starts) with 3 goals.

The arrival of Saleng (who can play on either flank and invert inside) reshapes the forward rotation, while Sundowns have also been linked with a striker move for Brayan León, which would further crowd the attack.

If minutes narrow in the run-in, especially with CAF competition juggling and a short-term switch could appeal to keep his rhythm ahead of Namibia’s World Cup qualifiers.

2) Thapelo Maseko (LW/RW) – Blocked by Saleng’s Profile

Maseko’s athleticism and direct running remain valued, but he has logged limited minutes in 2025/26 (5 league matches, 107 minutes, 0 goals), a pattern that predates Saleng’s arrival.

With Sundowns now adding a proven high-pace winger who just posted 2 goals and 3 assists at Orbit College, Maseko’s pathway to starts tightens. A loan for sustained minutes, similar to pathways used by other young Sundowns attackers, could accelerate his development and keep him in the national-team conversation.

3) Mothobi Mvala (CB/DM) – Bafana Ambitions at Stake

Mvala’s 2025 was ravaged by knee issues; he underwent surgery late in the year and totaled around 110 minutes across the calendar, an uncharacteristically low output for a key defensive pillar.

Reports outlined his AFCON 2025 doubt and confirmed that surgery would sideline him through year end, complicating his return to peak rhythm.

Even as recovery milestones were flagged earlier in 2025, the reality in January 2026 is that he’s been “out in the cold” in selection terms and with central midfield reinforced by Miguel Reisinho and options in the back line rotating smoothly, a move could boost his match sharpness and strengthen his case for a Bafana recall in the 2026 World Cup qualifying cycle.

4) Jayden Adams (AM/CM) – Logjam in the Engine Room

Signed from Stellenbosch last season, Adams has 10 PSL appearances with 1 goal this campaign (plus minutes in cups and WCQ), suggesting a role that’s active but not guaranteed.

Sundowns’ central-mid additions, Reisinho, Nuno Santos and plus Ntsabeleng on loan, compress the creative/box-to-box slots. If he wants a starting rhythm to put himself in World Cup contention, a loan could make sense for the remainder of 2025/26.

5) Sphelele Mkhulise (MF) – Squeezed by New Arrivals

Mkhulise’s tactical intelligence has long been appreciated, but 2025/26 league usage sits at 4 appearances (0 goals), a level that often indicates rotational status rather than a locked starting berth.

He recently had cameos across November/December, while the club’s midfield congestion limits routes to extended minutes. A change of scenery could reignite his numbers and keep him in contention for national-team duty.

Saleng’s Context: From Pirates Uncertainty to Sundowns

The official announcement landed via Sundowns’ channels/X on January 9, with the club hailing Saleng’s “pace, power, and pure ambition.” Multiple outlets carried the confirmation within minutes.

The winger’s Orbit College loan was set up after an uneasy period at Pirates; reports described him as “unhappy” and frozen out before the move, which ultimately yielded 2 goals and 3 assists in 11 PSL matches by late November/early December.

Those outputs help explain Sundowns’ decision to reinsert him into the title and CAF push immediately.