Sundowns Prioritize Overseas Transfer for World Cup Star Thapelo Maseko

Mamelodi Sundowns have made their intentions clear regarding the future of winger Thapelo Maseko, actively pursuing overseas bids for the talented player. The club's strategy is to facilitate an international transfer, thereby avoiding any scenario that might strengthen their domestic competitors, according to SABC Sport.

Maseko has been notably absent from first-team training under coach Miguel Cardoso and was not included in Sundowns' pre-season tour of Austria, indicating his status as surplus to requirements for the upcoming 2026/27 campaign. This development has prompted the club to grant the 22-year-old permission to explore opportunities elsewhere, whether through a loan agreement or a permanent transfer.

The winger spent the latter half of the 2025/26 season on loan at AEL Limassol in Cyprus, where he contributed two goals and one assist across 15 matches. While the Cypriot club expressed interest in retaining his services, a return was ultimately ruled out due to unresolved payment issues from his previous spell, a dispute that required intervention from FIFACompetition·FIFA. Both Maseko and his representatives are reportedly unwilling to revisit that challenging situation.

Maseko's market value has seen a significant increase following an impressive showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Representing Bafana BafanaTeam·Bafana Bafana, he scored South Africa's only goal in their decisive group-stage victory over South KoreaTeam·South Korea, a result that secured a historic place in the round of 32 for the national team. This resurgence came after a period of limited game time at Sundowns, during which he publicly acknowledged a dip in his passion for football.

Before joining Sundowns in 2023, Maseko had attracted interest from Belgian club WesterloTeam·Westerlo, and it is understood that he still harbors ambitions of playing in Europe. Reports suggest that Slavia PragueTeam·Slavia Prague from the Czech Republic has already tabled an offer for the winger, with Algerian club MC Alger also making an enquiry. Maseko is believed to favor a permanent exit, though the final terms will depend on whether interested clubs meet Sundowns' valuation or opt for a loan deal with an obligation to buy.

His earlier career at Sundowns saw him quickly establish himself, winning the inaugural African Football League Player of the Tournament award before earning a place in South Africa's bronze medal-winning AFCON 2024Competition·AFCON 2024 squad. A serious injury sustained in Ivory CoastVenue·Ivory Coast temporarily stalled his progress, but his successful loan spell in Cyprus and subsequent World Cup performance have reignited his career.

Mamelodi Sundowns themselves enjoyed a successful 2025/26 season, finishing second in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League, just one point behind champions Orlando PiratesTeam·Orlando Pirates. They also secured their second TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title, defeating AS FARTeam·AS FAR of Morocco 2-1 on aggregate. This continental triumph has earned them berths in the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup 2026Competition·CAF Super Cup 2026, the FIFACompetition·FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026, and the FIFACompetition·FIFA Club World Cup in 2029, highlighting the club's continued ambition on the global stage.