South African football powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns is grappling with a wave of instability following their MTN8 cup exit to Orlando Pirates.
The early season has been rocky, marked by setbacks in the Betway Premiership and growing unrest within the squad.
Several key players have publicly expressed their desire to leave, casting a shadow over the club’s campaign and fueling speculation about deeper internal issues.
This unrest has spilled beyond the pitch, even prompting the club to issue a formal statement addressing its transfer policy.
Though no names were mentioned, the message was unmistakably aimed at calming tensions, emphasizing a commitment to balancing player ambitions with the club’s strategic interests.
The current transfer window has exposed a widening rift: some players remain loyal to Masandawana’s legacy, while others are eyeing opportunities abroad, particularly in Europe. As this divide grows, questions loom over whether the club can maintain its domestic dominance or if this period of transition will lead to lasting disruption.
With that in mind, here are the notable transfer dealings that could prove pivotal in shaping Sundowns’ future trajectory.
Lucas Ribeiro-Costa
The most dramatic development involves Brazilian star Lucas Ribeiro-Costa, who has formally resigned from the club and taken his contract dispute to a FIFA tribunal. The reigning Premier Soccer League (PSL) Footballer of the Season, who also won the Players’ Player of the Season and Golden Boot awards, has not trained with the team this season.
Ribeiro’s decision comes after an impressive showing at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which garnered him international attention. He alleges he has “just cause” to terminate his contract, a claim he will argue before FIFA’s Football Tribunal.
Sundowns reportedly rejected a bid for him from Qatar SC, holding out for a better offer. The club, in a statement, reiterated its commitment to developing players and “engaging and negotiating with football clubs…to advance the interests of the player and the club.” In doing so, this public showdown has put the spotlight on the club’s transfer practices.
Kutlwano Letlhaku
The situation with Ribeiro is not isolated. Highly-rated teenage winger Kutlwano Letlhaku is also reportedly keen on a move to Europe, with an unnamed Portuguese club having already had a bid rejected. This has led his agent, Matthew Moore, to publicly criticize Sundowns.
Moore claims that for young players with European aspirations, their “dreams die” at Sundowns. He acknowledged the club’s domestic success but stated that if Letlhaku’s move falls through, it would be a “tragedy for the player.” Letlhaku, who has a promising record of three goals and six assists in 22 appearances, has reportedly already handed in a transfer request.
Thapelo Maseko
Amid the chaos, newly appointed head coach Miguel Cardoso has moved to address speculation surrounding winger Thapelo Maseko. After the Bafana Bafana international posted a revealing Instagram message expressing that he felt “unseen” and that his passion for the game was “fading,” there were widespread rumors suggesting he might leave the club during this window.
Maseko, who has struggled for game time since joining in 2023, was also linked with a move to Cypriot club Aris Limassol. That being said, Cardoso confirmed that the talented winger will remain at the club, emphasizing the importance of keeping all players motivated and part of the team’s core.
The club also reportedly received offers for star defender Khuliso Mudau, but has not entertained the interest. Like Ribeiro, Mudau has not been training with the team and has effectively been frozen from the squad.
Thembinkosi Lorch and Neo Maema
In addition to the current transfer dramas, Sundowns has been actively trimming its squad. Veteran midfielders Thembinkosi Lorch and Neo Maema have both officially departed.
Lorch, who joined in 2024, played just 26 games before being loaned to Wydad AC and has now been released. Maema, a key figure in the squad for the past four seasons, has signed with Tanzanian club Simba SC, where he joins former teammate Rushine De Reuck and is reunited with South African coach Fadlu Davids. Maema won four league titles and the inaugural African Football League with Sundowns.
The departures of Lorch and Maema, along with the transfer requests and public disputes, underscore a period of significant change at the Tshwane giants as Coach Cardoso looks to reshape the team.