Mamelodi Sundowns winger Thapelo Maseko wants to leave, says Miguel Cardoso

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says Thapelo Maseko has turned down the chance to return to the squad because the winger wants to pursue a move away from the African champions.

Cardoso said there was no dispute between himself and the 22-year-old Bafana Bafana attacker, but made clear that Maseko’s future was now a matter for the club after the player indicated that he wanted to join another team.

The development follows Maseko’s expression of dissatisfaction on Instagram, where he reacted to a series of stories suggesting that he regretted signing for Mamelodi Sundowns and wanted to leave the club.

Maseko spent last season on loan with Cypriot top-flight side AEL Limassol. He scored two goals and provided one assist in 15 appearances during his spell abroad.

Cardoso addressed the situation after Mamelodi Sundowns secured a place in the MTN8 semi-finals with a 3-2 victory over Polokwane City.

“Very simple and very objective. First of all, between coach Miguel and Thapelo Maseko, there is no issues. Yesterday I had a beautiful talk with Maseko,” Cardoso said in his post-match presser.

The coach explained that he had been asked by the club to speak to Maseko and establish whether the player wanted to remain part of the squad.

“When I was asked from inside the club to discuss the situation of Maseko, obviously we had to understand if he wants to stay with us or no. Because I don’t want to work with players that don’t want to be part of our group.”

Cardoso said he had offered Maseko a clear route back into the team if he was committed to staying at Mamelodi Sundowns.

“So, my question on Thapelo even yesterday I asked him, ‘Look, my heart is open for you, the team is open for you if you want to join us and stay open heart with us’.”

However, the manager said Maseko’s preference for a move elsewhere meant the decision could no longer be resolved by the coaching staff alone.

“Obviously, when the player says but I wanna go to other places, then it becomes a club’s question, and not a coach’s question.”

Cardoso added that he did not have full knowledge of the discussions taking place away from the pitch and therefore could not provide further details about the player’s situation.

“So, I’m not deep inside the conversation that happens so I cannot give more explanations. Rather we say, Thapelo is a wonderful boy. We like him very much.”

Maseko remains a highly regarded player at Mamelodi Sundowns, and Cardoso said he had maintained contact with the winger during the World Cup competition.

“Me and him we exchanged message throughout the whole competition [World Cup] and I think I even helped him on how to put more energy to what he was doing.”