Mamelodi Sundowns face signing dilemma

Mamelodi Sundowns’ extensive January transfer window recruitment has provided them with some headaches.

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Sundowns beefed up most of their playing departments, with some already filled with depth before the window.

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Despite already cruising in the DStv Premiership, Sundowns were the most active side in the January window. The Brazilians already have a nine-point gap on second placed Cape Town City, with three games in hand. Thad did not stop them from pursuing a squad boost ahead of the second half of the season. Of course for them, they also have to factor continental commitments with hopes of a Club FIFA World Cup too. 

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Now with that on the horizon, Sundowns went and signed the Likes of Zukho Mdunyelwa, Matias Esquivel. Then when everybody thought that they had strengthened enough, they added Thembinkosi Lorch and Tashreeq Matthews. The addition of Esquivel means that a foreign slot needs to be opened up. If the Brazilians do not deregister at least two foreign players, they cannot register the Argentine.

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There has since been talk of Devine Lunga and Abubeker Nasir with the Ethiopian out with a long-term injury. It now seems as if they have reverted to the original idea of sacrificing Junior Mendieta. 

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS TO SACRIFICE MENDIETA?

“The way things are now Matias (Esquivel) will take the place of his countryman Junior Mendieta who is out injured and his injury will apparently keep him out for the rest of the season. You know the team was looking at deregistering two of their foreign players but this condition will give them the chance to even register Esquivel without even deregistering those players. That’s what they are working on now so that he can start playing as soon as the season resumes after the Afcon break,” said one source to Soccer-Laduma.

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Sundowns reportedly triggered a release clause of R12 million to sign Mendieta from Stellenbosch FC at the start of the season. The playmaker has hardly got going, however, with injuries plaguing his debut campaign in yellow. He was rumoured to be pushing for a return on loan to the Cape winelands side, during the previous window which did not materialise. 

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