Mamelodi Sundowns prepare fresh move for highly rated Casric prospect Teboho Lekhatla

Mamelodi Sundowns are poised to intensify their efforts to sign Casric Stars teenager Teboho Lekhatla, with the Betway Premiership champions expected to push harder for the highly rated Motsepe Foundation Championship standout in the coming weeks.

The 19-year-old, one of the breakout performers in South Africa’s second tier last season, has long been monitored by Sundowns’ recruitment team, with club sources indicating he remains a priority target as they continue to plan for both short- and long-term success.

No agreement is in place and there have been no formal announcements from either club, but indications are that Sundowns are now likely to step up their pursuit as they assess their squad options ahead of the new campaign.

Casric hold firm over prized asset

Luring Lekhatla away from Casric Stars is expected to be complicated, with the Motsepe Foundation Championship side understood to have placed a substantial valuation on the versatile youngster.

Casric Stars only secured his services in 2024 and are in a strong bargaining position, with no immediate pressure to sell and a clear willingness to hold out unless any offer meets their assessment of his market value.

The club regard Lekhatla as one of their most valuable assets and one of the brightest prospects in the division, a stance reflected in the fee they are thought to be demanding from potential suitors.

Award-winning season draws top-flight attention

Lekhatla enjoyed a standout campaign in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, emerging as one of the league’s most consistent young performers and being named Young Player of the Season.

His form has not gone unnoticed beyond domestic competition. The teenager has been included in the preliminary 61-man South African Under-20 squad currently preparing for the 2026 COSAFA U20 Championship, underlining his growing profile at international level.

Those performances have inevitably attracted interest from clubs tracking emerging local talent, but Sundowns are considered to be particularly well placed should they opt to convert their long-standing admiration into a concrete offer.

Fits Sundowns’ youth-focused strategy

The Tshwane club have increasingly invested in youth as part of a succession-planning approach that blends established stars with promising South African players identified early in their development.

Recent seasons have seen Sundowns move decisively for prospects they believe can evolve into first-team regulars, even where immediate opportunities are limited, trusting their coaching structure and depth to aid gradual integration.

Lekhatla’s attributes align closely with that model. Comfortable operating on the left and equipped with the technical qualities demanded in the modern game, he has impressed scouts with his maturity, reliability and impact in both defensive and attacking phases despite his age.

Those characteristics, coupled with his recent accolades and national youth recognition, make him an attractive option for Sundowns as they look to reinforce their squad with players capable of contributing now and in years to come.

For the moment, however, Casric Stars’ firm valuation and strong contractual position mean any transfer is likely to depend on Sundowns meeting the Championship club’s demands, with negotiations expected to be challenging if talks progress.