ith Rulani Mokwena officially gone, Mamelodi Sundowns have undergone significant squad changes. This includes the releases of key players like Bongani Zungu, Gaston Sirino, Brian Onyango, and Thabiso Kutumela. Furthermore, the reigning PSL champions could lose some of their key players in the coming weeks.
A couple of Sundowns players have attracted overseas teams during Rulani’s tenure. Key players such as Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau may very well move abroad before the start if the season. Here are five Sundowns players likely to follow Rulani Mokwena.
Bongani Zungu (Midfielder)
This is the most likely option. Zungu is a free agent and Mokwena openly stated his admiration for him in recent weeks.
During an interview on Game On, Rhulani said, “I love Bongs (Bongani Zungu), Bongs knows me, I know him. It’s easier when you know the coach, the player knows you. “There is a possibility of (Zungu joining Wydad AC). He knows, if he doesn’t find anything, he knows my number and he can always contact me.”
Khuliso Mudau (Defender)
The Bafana Bafana international has been heavily linked with a move abroad. His Masandawana contract is set to expire in June 2025 but he might not see it out as his agency JDR Consulting told KickOff that the right-back is a wanted man in England and France. This comes after Mokwena publicly encouraged the defender, going as far as to say that he would “take a bullet” for him.
Grant Kekana (Defender)
Kekana’s contract situation is murky. The 31-year-old was recently honored as the DStv Premiership defender of the season in the previous campaign and played a crucial role as the Brazilians secured their seventh consecutive Premiership title.
In a conversation with Soccer Laduma in July 2024, Kekana’s agent Steve Kapelushnik said, “The club exercised the option for the next season, and discussions are underway for a new contract … We’re in talks with them (Sundowns) regarding his future beyond this season”.
Teboho Mokoena (Midfielder)
Teboho’s contract talks are ongoing, and Sundowns wouldn’t want to lose the 2022/23 Premier Soccer League’s Player of the Season. Mokoena has been a wanted man since impressing at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped Bafana Bafana claim a bronze.
In an interview with SABC Sport in May 2024, Mokoena’s agent Glyn Binkin said, “We have been in discussions and negotiations since November, and sadly are no closer to finalizing a new deal, which has led to a lot of frustration and disappointment for both myself and my client in this regard,”.
Peter Shalulile (Striker)
Having played his best football under the ex-Orlando Pirates coach, the Namibian star might look to move away from the PSL. Shalulile is a prolific scorer and a PSL legend, having etched his name in the PSL 100 club. Sundowns may be open to letting him go, with a number of attacking players coming through the door at Chloorkop.