There could be a big casualty to Mamelodi Sundowns’ recent shopping spree with one of their first team players likely to move on.
There could be a big casualty to Mamelodi Sundowns’ recent shopping spree with one of their first team players likely to move on.
Indications are that Mauricio Affonso, who is yet to report for pre-season camp, is not expected back at Chloorkop ahead of the start of the 2021/22 season.
It was reported as far back as April that the Uruguayan forward’s future had been thrown into doubt when the Brazilians secured the signature of Pavol Safranko, especially given that Affonso was battling with a long-term injury at the time.
With the Slovakian needing Downs to free up a foreign spot for him to be registered, as Premier Soccer League clubs are only allowed a quota of five non-South Africans, the lanky Affonso was immediately identified as the sacrificial lamb.
Now, it’s believed that Affonso has not yet returned from his brief holiday and indications are that Downs could look to sell him to recoup their investment in a player that joined the club two years ago, showed promise, but suffered an injury that limited his game time.
The 29-year old still has three more seasons left on his contract, which is why selling him would probably be the club’s priority.
A loan is another alternative…
Even though his Downs future now looks set to come to an end, Affonso did eventually recover from his injury having missed nearly a year of football by making brief appearances in the latter stages of the 2020/21 campaign.
From March this year, the striker was used five times from the bench at the club, but did not score – and Safranko looks set to take his place.
The Siya crew also reported recently that Thabiso Kutumela has agreed to join Sundowns, with personal terms being finalised.
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