Orlando Pirates loanee Siphelo Baloni reveals Mamelodi Sundowns regret after signing for Soweto giants - Wydad AC coach Sinethemba Badela 'should have told me' about Masandawana interest

Siphelo Baloni made a surprise move to Orlando Pirates from Cape Town All Stars in July 2023.

But being an unknown player, he was also a transfer target of Mamelodi Sundowns and he explains how he ended up with the Soweto giants.

“I remember there was this other day I had a meeting with coach Themba [Badela], he told me that Sundowns has been looking for me, but I didn’t want to tell you,” Baloni told iDiski Times.

“I told him that I think he should have told me because now I’ve already signed at Pirates. If he told me, I was going to say that Pirates should wait until the season ends so I should decide if I am taking this one or not.

“But I also thought about it, Pirates is a big team and I’m young, I’m from the NFD. It is something else for me" he added.

"It is a big achievement and also if I go there, it is fine I am going to face some challenges.”

Badela left Sundowns for Moroccan side Wydad Athletic Club at the end of last season and he reunited with Rhulani Mokwena at the North African giants.

Baloni struggled for game time at Pirates last season, managing just 13 appearances across all competitions, including four starts in what was his debut season of playing Premier Soccer League football.

Had he joined Sundowns, he might have struggled still in a squad that has a large pool of players and depth in quality.

There is also a possibility Baloni might have received more playing opportunities at Sundowns and cemented his place in the team and avoided a loan transfer to Chippa United.

Competition in the Pirates midfield continues to be strong with a number of players like Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, Miguel Timm, Katlego Otladisa and Azola Tshobeni struggling for game time.

That poses a challenge to Baloni to up his game at Chippa and increase his chances of going back to Pirates and enjoying some playing minutes.