Miguel Cardoso’s request to downsize his squad at Mamelodi Sundowns for the new season has been met, with the process underway at Chloorkop.
Sundowns have since confirmed that Rivaldo Coetzee, Lebohang Maboe, Sanele Tshabalala, Thabang Sibanyoni, Sifiso Ngobeni, Lucas Suarez, and Sipho Mbule will not be with the club in the new season.
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Coetzee’s stay came to an end following injury troubles, while Maboe leaves having spent the recent months out on loan at SuperSport United.
Tshabalala has always been fifth choice in the goalkeeping department behind Ronwen Williams, Denis Onyango, Reyaad Pieterse, and Jody February.
Sibanyoni also never played for the first team at Sundowns and spent all his time on loan at other clubs, with the most recent having been at Magesi FC.
With Ngobeni, it was also battles and he leaves after a disappointing loan spell at AmaZulu FC.
Argentine defender Suarez has returned home after the Tshwane giants chose not to proceed with his loan for another six months.
Mbule has since joined Orlando Pirates.
The player exits still pending at The Brazilians include Etiosa Ighodaro, who is wanted by Kaizer Chiefs after the end of his latest loan at Usuthu.
Abubeker Nasir, Thembinkosi Lorch, Ismail Watenga, Siyanda Msani, Terrence Mashego, Matias Esquivel, Thapelo Maseko, and Kobamelo Kodisang all have pending talks which could lead to the exit door.
Nasir went away on loan to SuperSport but didn’t play, while Lorch has had a productive spell with Wydad Casablanca, where he was also on loan.
Watenga has never played for Sundowns and his latest loan stint was at Golden Arrows.
Msani has returned from Univerity of Pretoria, while Mashego, Esquivel, Maseko, and Kodisang have struggled for minutes.
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Maseko has been linked with a club in Cyprus.
Lebo Mothiba is also under discussion.
Cardoso has asked management to trim his squad ahead of their return for pre-season after a fortnight.
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
