Mamelodi Sundowns Set to Offer Young Goalkeeper Sanele Tshabalala a New Contract
Mamelodi Sundowns are reportedly looking to secure the future of one of the club’s young goalkeepers, Sanele Tshabalala, with a new contract. Sources close to the club have confirmed that Sundowns are keen on keeping Tshabalala, positioning him as a valuable asset for the future alongside their established goalkeeping duo, Rowen Williams and Denis Onyango.
Tshabalala, who joined Sundowns in 2023, has yet to make an official appearance for the club, though he was named to the bench during Sundowns’ 2-1 victory against Stellenbosch FC earlier this season. Despite limited playing time, Tshabalala has impressed the club with his determination and willingness to fight for a spot in the first team.
A New Deal on the Horizon
Initially, the plan was for Tshabalala to go out on loan, but the club has reportedly changed course after recognizing his potential. The goalkeeper’s commitment and performance during training have earned him a new contract, with a long-term deal and an improved salary on the table.
A source close to the situation shared with Soccer Laduma, “The club is rewarding him with a new contract. It’s not a done deal yet, but I don’t see anything stopping it. The good thing is he is still young compared to the other goalkeepers, and that’s an advantage to him.”
While the contract extension is still being finalized, it’s expected that the new deal will take effect from July this year, and it will see Tshabalala receive a better salary than what was offered in his initial contract.
Development Plan and Loan Prospects
Despite securing a new contract, Sundowns are still keen on ensuring Tshabalala gets the playing time he needs to grow as a goalkeeper. Loaning him out to gain experience and regular match minutes remains a key part of the club’s development strategy.
The club’s approach mirrors what they have done in the past with other goalkeepers, such as Denis Onyango, who went on loan to Bidvest Wits and Mpumalanga Black Aces, and Ricardo Goss, who is currently on loan at SuperSport United. These loan stints were pivotal in their development, and Sundowns aims to replicate this with Tshabalala to help him reach his full potential.
“They want him to go to a team where he will play more regularly so that when he comes back, he can compete,” the source explained. “They are doing the same with Ricardo Goss, and they want to do the same with Sanele, letting him grow as a player.”
Tshabalala’s Journey
Before joining Sundowns, Tshabalala played for junior teams at Bidvest Wits, Kaizer Chiefs, and Moroka Swallows. His rise to prominence as a young goalkeeper has caught the attention of the club, and Sundowns are now looking to invest in his development.
With Sundowns’ strong track record of nurturing young talent, Tshabalala could have a bright future ahead. If the new contract and potential loan move materialize, it would be a significant step in his career, and fans of Sundowns will be eager to see how he progresses in the coming years.
As the final details of his contract extension are ironed out, Tshabalala’s future at Sundowns looks promising, and the club’s decision to secure his services for the long term signals their confidence in his abilities.
