Cardoso Confirms Thapelo Maseko Wants Out of Mamelodi Sundowns
Thapelo Maseko’s future at Mamelodi Sundowns appears increasingly uncertain after coach Miguel Cardoso confirmed that the Bafana Bafana winger wants to leave the African champions.
Cardoso addressed the situation after Sundowns secured a 3-2 victory over Polokwane City in their MTN8 quarter-final, revealing that he had recently held a private conversation with the 22-year-old.
The discussion came after Maseko raised concerns among Sundowns supporters by posting emotional messages on Instagram about his unhappiness and apparent desire for a fresh start.
While speculation has continued to surround his future, Cardoso was adamant that there is no personal conflict between the two.
“Between coach Miguel and Thapelo Maseko, there are no issues. Yesterday I had a beautiful talk with Maseko,” Cardoso told reporters.
Maseko Rejects Chance to Return
Cardoso revealed that he had offered Maseko an opportunity to return to the first-team setup, but the winger made his position clear.
The Sundowns coach said he did not want to keep a player who no longer wanted to be part of the squad.
“I asked him if he wanted to stay with us because I don’t want to work with players who don’t want to be part of our group,” Cardoso said.
The coach told Maseko that the door remained open if he wanted to continue his career at Chloorkop.
“My heart is open for you and the team is open for you if you want to stay with us. But when the player says he wants to go elsewhere, then it becomes a club matter and not a coach’s matter.”
That distinction could prove significant as Sundowns now face the task of deciding how to handle the winger’s future.
Cardoso’s comments suggest that the issue is no longer about repairing a relationship between coach and player, but about determining what happens next at club level.
Cardoso Still Holds Maseko in High Regard
Despite Maseko’s desire to move on, Cardoso stressed that he has no personal animosity towards the player.
The Portuguese coach described Maseko warmly and made it clear that the winger remains highly regarded within the Sundowns camp.
“Thapelo is a wonderful boy. We like him very much,” Cardoso said.
He also revealed that the pair maintained contact during the FIFA World Cup, with Cardoso attempting to help Maseko remain positive during a difficult period.
“We exchanged messages throughout the World Cup and I even tried to help him stay positive,” he added.
The comments paint a picture of a relationship that remains respectful despite the growing uncertainty surrounding Maseko’s future.
Sundowns Face Decision Over Maseko’s Future
Maseko joined Sundowns with a reputation as one of the country’s promising young attacking players and has represented Bafana Bafana at international level.
His latest comments and Cardoso’s confirmation, however, have placed his future firmly under the spotlight.
For now, Sundowns appear willing to leave the door open, but the final decision may depend on what the club and player agree to in the coming period.
Cardoso has made his position clear: he is prepared to welcome Maseko back, but he will not force a player to remain at Sundowns against his wishes.
The next move now belongs to the club and the player.
