Mamelodi Sundowns, the 18-time South African champions, have made significant moves to trim their squad, confirming the departures of two key attackers: Thembinkosi Lorch and Neo Maema.
This comes as the club continues to reshape its roster under the direction of coach Miguel Cardoso.
Read: Thembinkosi Lorch breaks silence on Mamelodi Sundowns exit
The End of the Road for Lorch and Maema
The decision to release the duo was driven by the need to streamline a “bloated squad,” a priority for Cardoso since he took the helm. Both players were reportedly deemed surplus to requirements for the current season.
Bafana Bafana international Thembinkosi Lorch joined the Brazilians in 2024 after a high-profile transfer from Orlando Pirates. In his short time with Sundowns, he made 26 appearances, scoring seven goals and assisting on four others.
His departure follows weeks of speculation, particularly after he was sent on loan to Moroccan giants Wydad AC for the second half of last season.
During his loan spell, he impressed in both the Botola Pro League and the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where he featured against top clubs like Manchester City, Juventus, and Al Ain, even scoring one goal.
A permanent return to North Africa, specifically Wydad, is now considered a strong possibility for the 32-year-old.
Neo Maema, who signed with Sundowns in 2021 from Royal AM, had a more extensive tenure. Over four seasons, he made 120 appearances, contributing 13 goals and 14 assists.
The club acknowledged his contributions in a farewell post, highlighting his impressive trophy haul, which includes four league titles, a Nedbank Cup, an MTN8 title, and an African Football League title. Maema has been heavily linked with a potential move to Kaizer Chiefs.
Looking Ahead for Sundowns
While the club says goodbye to two talented attackers, their focus remains on the season ahead. Sundowns are currently preparing for a highly anticipated clash against Orlando Pirates in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final. The sold-out fixture is scheduled for Saturday at 15:00 at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.