Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Miguel Cardoso Opens Up on Thapelo Maseko Transfer Saga

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has broken his silence on the uncertain future of Thapelo Maseko, revealing that he has held a private and constructive discussion with the want-away winger. The Portuguese tactician addressed the situation after Sundowns secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-finals. Maseko’s future has become a major talking point after the player publicly expressed frustration about his lack of regular playing time at Chloorkop. Despite his talent and recent international success with Bafana Bafana, the 22-year-old has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter for the reigning South African champions. Cardoso has now made it clear that there is no personal conflict between himself and Maseko, although the coach recognises that the player’s future will ultimately depend on what both the player and club decide is best.

Maseko’s situation has developed into one of the more closely watched transfer stories surrounding Sundowns. The winger joined the club from cross-town rivals SuperSport United in July 2023 in a deal reportedly worth around R20 million. Expectations were high because of his pace, attacking ability and potential to develop into one of the country’s leading wide players. However, competition within the Sundowns squad has made it difficult for him to secure a consistent place in the starting line-up. Despite making 45 appearances across competitions, he has not been able to establish the regular role he would have wanted after making such a significant move.

The lack of consistent opportunities eventually led Maseko to seek a temporary change of environment during the second half of the 2025/26 campaign. He joined Cypriot top-flight side AEL Limassol on loan and enjoyed a productive six-month spell that helped restore his confidence. His performances abroad gave him regular opportunities to play and allowed him to demonstrate the attacking qualities that had initially made him an attractive signing for Sundowns. His form also earned him a place in the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Maseko made headlines on the international stage, including scoring, which appeared to strengthen the argument that he deserved a more prominent role at club level.

Instead, the winger’s return to Sundowns has been followed by another period away from regular first-team involvement. Maseko has reportedly been training individually and has not featured for the Brazilians since returning from international duty. His situation has understandably created frustration, particularly after he had rebuilt his confidence in Cyprus and produced an impressive performance at the World Cup. The player subsequently used social media to express his unhappiness about his limited opportunities. That public frustration added further attention to a situation that had already become a significant talking point around the club.

Cardoso has attempted to clarify the relationship between himself and Maseko while avoiding unnecessary details about private discussions. The coach described the winger as a “wonderful boy” and emphasised that the club likes him. Cardoso also acknowledged the positive progress Maseko made during his loan spell in Cyprus and the confidence he gained from representing Bafana Bafana at the World Cup. According to the coach, he and Maseko exchanged messages during the tournament and discussed how the player could focus his energy on his performances. Those interactions suggest that their relationship remains professional despite the uncertainty surrounding Maseko’s position at Sundowns.

The discussion between Cardoso and Maseko appears to have focused on whether the player still wants to be part of the Sundowns project. Cardoso has indicated that he is open to reintegrating the winger if Maseko wants to remain with the team. At the same time, the coach does not want to force a player to stay if he believes that another opportunity would be better for his career. This approach gives Maseko an important decision to make as he considers his future at one of the biggest clubs in African football. The situation is therefore less about a breakdown between player and coach and more about finding a solution that works for both the individual and the club.

Sundowns’ strength in depth has played an important role in Maseko’s difficulties. The club has built one of the strongest squads in South African football, with several talented players competing for limited starting positions. For a young winger seeking regular football, that level of competition can make it difficult to maintain momentum, even when performances are strong. Maseko’s spell at AEL Limassol demonstrated how regular minutes can influence his confidence and effectiveness. His challenge now is to determine whether he can earn those opportunities at Sundowns or whether a permanent move would provide a better platform for his continued development.

The possibility of a permanent departure has increased with reports linking Maseko to Denmark. FC Copenhagen has been mentioned as a potential destination, with discussions between the Danish club and Sundowns reportedly underway. A move to Europe could represent another important stage in Maseko’s career, particularly after his successful loan spell in Cyprus and his breakthrough moments with Bafana Bafana. European football could also provide the regular competitive environment he appears to be seeking. However, any potential transfer would need to satisfy Sundowns’ financial and sporting interests before an agreement can be reached.

For Sundowns, Maseko’s potential departure would represent the loss of a player who still has significant room to develop. The club invested heavily in his signing and would therefore need to consider the value of any permanent transfer carefully. At the same time, keeping an unhappy player who is not receiving regular opportunities could create its own challenges. Sundowns have demonstrated that they are willing to manage a large squad, but individual ambitions must also be considered. Maseko’s recent performances suggest that he has the ability to contribute at a high level, meaning his next move could have an important impact on his career.

Cardoso’s comments also demonstrate the importance of communication when dealing with a player facing uncertainty. Rather than allowing speculation about a personal disagreement to dominate the story, the coach has publicly acknowledged the positive relationship between himself and Maseko. His comments suggest that the two have communicated openly and that the player has been encouraged to focus on his football. That does not necessarily mean Maseko will remain at Sundowns, but it does indicate that his situation is being handled as a professional football decision rather than a personal dispute. The coming weeks should provide greater clarity as transfer discussions develop and the club considers its options.

Thapelo Maseko’s future at Mamelodi Sundowns remains uncertain, but Miguel Cardoso’s comments have provided important insight into the situation. The coach has made it clear that there is no bad blood between them and that he remains open to finding a way for the winger to return to the team if that is what Maseko wants. However, the player’s desire for regular football and his recent success in Cyprus and with Bafana Bafana could make a permanent transfer an increasingly attractive option. With FC Copenhagen reportedly involved in discussions, Maseko could soon begin another chapter of his career in Denmark. Whatever decision is ultimately reached, the priority for both Maseko and Sundowns will be finding a path that allows the talented winger to play regularly, continue developing and build on the promising form he has shown on the international stage.