Thapelo Maseko training alone as Mamelodi Sundowns consider transfer offers

Thapelo Maseko is reportedly training on his own at Mamelodi Sundowns after the South African club rejected transfer bids from FC Copenhagen, Al Ahly and Pyramids, despite the winger allegedly not being part of manager Miguel Cardoso’s plans.

Sources close to the player told Sowetan that Maseko has become increasingly frustrated by the situation. They claim Sundowns have turned down offers from Denmark and Egypt and have not provided him with a clear plan for his future.

Maseko was excluded from the Sundowns squad that travelled to Austria for pre-season and is now said to be working separately from the main group.

“They don’t want to release him around the PSL. There are offers from abroad, but they are not responding to them,” a well-informed source told Sowetan.

The source claimed FC Copenhagen had been attempting to sign Maseko for two weeks, with another offer submitted on Wednesday.

“They are destroying this boy,” the source said. “There is an offer they received today [Wednesday] from Denmark; they have been sending offers for two weeks now, [but Sundowns] just look at it.

“The boy is training alone; they have sidelined him, and his family has to interfere in this situation, but Sundowns are still not abiding.

“He was supposed to fly today to Denmark to be able to register for the Champions League, but they have been playing hide and seek, and when asked if they have a plan for him, they don’t have it. They left him here during preseason.

“He is no longer in their [WhatsApp] group. Al Ahly made a bid, and they rejected it, while Pyramids also made a bid which was rejected too.”

The source said Maseko’s family was concerned that the continued uncertainty could affect his mental health and leave him vulnerable to depression.

Sundowns general manager Yogesh Singh could not be reached for comment and did not respond to text messages sent by Sowetan.

The reported stand-off comes after Maseko rebuilt his career following a difficult spell at Sundowns. A year ago, he published an emotional message discussing his loss of love for football after struggling to secure regular playing time at the club.

He was subsequently sent on loan to AEL Limassol in Cyprus, where his form improved. His performances helped him return to the Bafana Bafana squad for the FIFA World Cup two months ago, where he produced what was described as a heroic display.

Maseko joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2023 and quickly emerged as one of the club’s leading players. He won the inaugural African Football League Player of the Tournament award and later received a Bafana medal as part of the squad that won the African Cup of Nations 2024.

He also scored the winning goal for the national team against South Korea at this year’s World Cup.

Despite those achievements, the 2023 arrival is now reportedly outside Sundowns’ immediate plans under Cardoso. The club has allegedly rejected each of the approaches from FC Copenhagen, Al Ahly and Pyramids, while Maseko remains in South Africa and continues to train alone.