Sundowns accused of blocking Maseko’s overseas move

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Sundowns allegedly rejected bids from FC Copenhagen, Al Ahly and Pyramids while Thapelo Maseko trains alone.

• His family fears the uncertainty could harm his mental health after he previously lost his love for football.

Thapelo Maseko is reportedly unhappy at Mamelodi Sundowns after the club allegedly blocked three overseas moves.

Sources close to the Bafana Bafana winger told Sowetan that Sundowns rejected offers from FC Copenhagen, Al Ahly and Pyramids.

They claim Maseko is training alone after being left out of Sundowns’ preseason squad that travelled to Austria.

This comes despite claims that coach Miguel Cardoso does not have Maseko in his plans.

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

The source claimed Copenhagen had sent offers for two weeks without receiving a clear answer.

Maseko was reportedly meant to fly to Denmark on Wednesday so the club could register him for the Champions League.

But Sundowns allegedly delayed the move.

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

Maseko previously said he had lost his love for football after struggling for game time at Sundowns.

He was later loaned to AEL Limassol in Cyprus, where he revived his career and earned a Bafana World Cup recall.

His family reportedly fears the latest problems could damage his mental health.

Maseko joined Sundowns in 2023 and won the first African Football League Player of the Tournament award.

He also earned a medal with Bafana at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations and scored the winning goal against South Korea at this year’s World Cup.

Pictured above: Thapelo Maseko.

Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns/X