+18 | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles
Sundowns off-season guide 16-9
Dingizwe Gwala

Mamelodi Sundowns transfer guide: Miguel Cardoso needs to squash the beef with Themba Zwane ahead of Fifa Club World Cup, but must release some players & fasten Khuliso Mudau negotiations while shaping Downs for another Caf Champions League fight

GOAL looks at how Miguel Cardoso must deal with underlying issues at Mamelodi Sundowns and prepare Downs for another Caf Champions League fight.

As the new season approaches, Cardoso finds himself facing a pressing challenge: squashing the brewing tension with captain Themba Zwane. Let's face it, 'Mshishi' isn’t just any player — he’s the jewel in the Sundowns crown, arguably their best talent, and there’s simply no way Cardoso can afford to sideline him.

Meanwhile, Sundowns are gearing up for the Fifa Club World Cup in the United States, a prestigious stage where they’ll showcase their talents. But as they jet off, there’s important business to be done in the transfer window if they want to mount a serious challenge for the Champions League. Last season’s heartbreak still stings — losing the final to Egyptian side Pyramids has left a bitter taste.

This time around, Sundowns aren’t just participating; they’re hungry for the trophy. GOAL takes a closer look at how the team must navigate the transfer market to rise stronger and smarter for the battles ahead.

Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZN
Stream now
  • Themba Zwane & Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns, May 2025Backpagepix

    Number one priority

    It’s clear that the PSL is a crown Sundowns will likely wear for years to come, having clinched the league title an astonishing eight times in a row. Yet, beneath this dominance lies a deeper ambition: building a squad capable of conquering the Champions League. That’s the real prize, and the one competition where their mettle will be truly tested. Central to this quest is coach Cardoso’s delicate task of managing the ever-vital Zwane. The coach must tread carefully, learning from the mistakes of Hugo Broos — who once left Zwane out of the Bafana Bafana squad, only to see him emerge as one of the team’s standout performers. Another crucial off-field matter is Khuliso Mudau’s contract. The right-back’s deal expires at the end of June, and Sundowns must lock him down to ensure their defensive backbone remains intact.

    • Advertisement
  • Grant Kekana, Mamelodi SundownsBackpage

    Other areas of concern

    Defence, however, remains an area of concern. The team’s backline has shown vulnerability this season, with costly errors at critical moments. Lucas Suarez’s blunder against Kaizer Chiefs was a glaring example, a mistake that ultimately denied Sundowns a place in the Nedbank Cup final.

    Yet, it’s not all doom and gloom — Grant Kekana’s brilliant assist in the Champions League final last month demonstrated the potential brilliance in their ranks. Meanwhile, the attacking front has been inconsistent. Peter Shalulile, a player of undeniable talent, has struggled to find his best form and often seems overshadowed by teammates Lucas Ribeiro and Iqraam Rayners. For Sundowns to thrive, Cardoso must elevate Shalulile’s game and extract the very best from his stars.

  • Percy Tau GFX GOAL

    'Kids' who must step up

    Funny enough, there are none, and this is not a joke. Unlike clubs renowned for nurturing young diamonds, Sundowns have built their empire on strategic buys rather than patient development. While legends like the late Motjeka Madisha and Percy Tau once emerged from their ranks, such success stories are rare.

    Recent youngsters such as Promise Mkhuma and Khayelihle Shozi have failed to make the grade, slipping quietly off the radar. It’s clear that Sundowns’ philosophy leans more toward assembling a constellation of proven stars rather than banking on unpolished youth to shine on the biggest stages.

  • Kobamelo Kodisang, Mamelodi SundownsBackpage

    Surplus to requirements

    Terrence Mashego (28)

    Jody February (29)

    Tiwani Askeho (19)

    Kodisang Kobamelo (25)

    Zuko Mdunyelwa (26)

  • Percy Tau, Qatar SC, February 2025Qatar SC

    Players linked to Sundowns

    So far, the transfer rumour mill has been relatively quiet around Sundowns (but only for now), with one intriguing exception: the potential return of Tau. The former Sundowns star and current free agent. Tau has sparked speculation after expressing openness to a reunion. But there’s a twist.

    Despite his deep-rooted affection for the club, Tau hasn’t hidden his admiration for Chiefs, the team he supported as a boy. In a candid moment, he admitted that if Sundowns don’t come calling and Chiefs do, he’ll have to seriously consider the move — not out of disloyalty, but out of responsibility. “I’m a breadwinner,” Tau said, reminding everyone that passion must sometimes give way to practicality. 'Lion of Judah' also made it clear: he has a price, revealed here. Now, with the carrot dangling, it’s up to PSL giants to decide if they’re ready to bite.

  • Mamelodi Sundowns, May 2025Backpage

    Dive deeper