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Thapelo Maseko's passion flickers as Mamelodi Sundowns snub deepens
Thapelo Maseko's passion flickers as Mamelodi Sundowns snub deepens

IOL News

timea day ago

  • Sport
  • IOL News

Thapelo Maseko's passion flickers as Mamelodi Sundowns snub deepens

Thapelo Maseko says he is struggling to rediscover his passion for football after a difficult spell at Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Mamelodi Sundowns winger Thapelo Maseko has delivered a raw and emotional account of his current struggles, admitting that his passion for football is fading as he battles for relevance at Chloorkop. The 21-year-old has found himself on the fringes of coach Miguel Cardoso's plans, with his future at the Betway Premiership champions now under intense speculation. Last season, Maseko made just 14 appearances across all competitions, finding the net only once. His omission from the squad for the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup in the USA fuelled further questions over his role at the club. For a player once tipped as one of South Africa's brightest prospects, the fall has been swift. Maseko joined Sundowns in 2023 from Tshwane rivals SuperSport United after lighting up the DStv Diski Challenge and breaking into Matsatsantsa's first team, where he featured 34 times, scored four goals, and chipped in with two assists. Who is Thapelo Maseko's agent?? I hope they are actively working on getting this boy game time. What support is he getting in such difficult times? When a person cries publicly, we need to act better. Not so long ago, he was one of the best young players we have. He still… — El Capitano⚪ (@_izodlalaiTv) August 10, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The move that was supposed to elevate his career has instead left him fighting for game time — and now, it seems, fighting for his love of the game. His absence from Sundowns' first two matches of the new season — the MTN8 quarter-final and their Betway Premiership opener — has only deepened the sense that he is on the periphery. And on Monday, the Bafana Bafana international took to Instagram to voice his pain in a heartfelt post. 'I don't know when it started, but lately it's like the fire in me is fading. I still train like my life depends on it, still push through every tired muscle, mental battle, but inside it feels empty,' Maseko wrote. 'The game that once lit up my soul is now different, heavier, and colder. It's a strange kind of pain, giving everything you have but feeling unseen. "You tell yourself to keep going, but each day chips away at you. Your confidence starts to crumble, your joy fades, and the person you used to be feels like a memory you can't reach anymore. 'The hunger, the excitement, and the love for the grind have been slipping away piece by piece, now hope feels like something far off in the distance. 'I'm left wondering if I'll ever get to that place again. This is what it's like to lose your spark, and the hardest part is still showing up every single day, hoping you'll find it again.' For Sundowns fans, it's a sobering glimpse into the human side of elite football — where talent alone cannot shield a player from the loneliness of being on the margins. For Maseko, the fight to rediscover his spark now seems as important as the battle for minutes on the pitch.

'The fire in me is fading' – Sundowns forgotten star on career struggles
'The fire in me is fading' – Sundowns forgotten star on career struggles

The South African

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • The South African

'The fire in me is fading' – Sundowns forgotten star on career struggles

Mamelodi Sundowns winger Thapelo Maseko has posted about his recent struggles at his club. The 21-year-old star has found it difficult to break into the Downs team since joining from SuperSport United two years ago. He only played a total of 14 league matches in three years for Masandawana and scored just once. His future at the club remains in doubt after he was left out of Mamelodi Sundowns' squad, which played in the FIFA Club World Cup. 'I don't know when it started, but lately it's like the fire in me is fading. I still train like my life depends on it, still push through every tired muscle, mental battle, but inside it feels empty,' Maseko posted on his Instagram page. 'The game that once lit up my soul is now different, heavier, and colder. It's a strange kind of pain, giving everything you have but feeling unseen. You tell yourself to keep going, but each day chips away at you. Your confidence starts to crumble, your joy fades, and the person you used to be feels like a memory you can't reach anymore. 'The hunger, the excitement, and the love for the grind have been slipping away piece by piece, now hope feels like something far off in the distance. 'I'm left wondering if I've ever get to that place again, this is what it's like to lose your spark and the hardest part is still showing up every single day, hoping you'll find it again,' the Sundowns winger said. Maseko was not featured in Downs' two matches this season and his exit looks more likely. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Kaizer Chiefs face Euro competition in chase for AFL star
Kaizer Chiefs face Euro competition in chase for AFL star

The South African

time19-06-2025

  • Sport
  • The South African

Kaizer Chiefs face Euro competition in chase for AFL star

Kaizer Chiefs have reignited their interest in Mamelodi Sundowns winger Thapelo Maseko, but they now face fresh competition from abroad, as Cypriot outfit Aris Limassol step into the picture. Although Maseko found himself on the fringes of Sundowns' squad under Miguel Cardoso, having even been left out of the FIFA Club World Cup group, his talent continues to attract serious attention both locally and internationally. A well-placed source has confirmed Aris Limassol's interest in the Bafana Bafana winger. The Cypriot club have reportedly begun early talks around a possible transfer. 'There is local interest including Kaizer Chiefs and from his former team SuperSport United. But it seems a possible move to Cyprus is more prominent at this point. They have enquired about the price and signing-on fee and some logistics as well already. It's all up to the involved parties to agree on everything and things will work out. But, yes, interest from Aris Limassol, the same team that Mihlali Mayambela plays for, is there,' the source revealed. Despite foreign interest, Kaizer Chiefs remain firmly in the conversation. The Soweto giants view Maseko as a key target as they seek to bolster their wide attacking options ahead of the new campaign. Chiefs previously expressed interest in the winger when he emerged as a breakout star at SuperSport United, and their admiration hasn't faded. Though Maseko did not enjoy regular game time at Chloorkop last season, he still made headlines. The winger clinched the inaugural African Football League Player of the Tournament award and played a role in Bafana Bafana's bronze-medal finish at AFCON in Ivory Coast. The next few weeks could prove decisive. Kaizer Chiefs will hope that their local pull and Maseko's desire for more consistent game time convince the player to snub a European move in favour of a high-profile switch to Naturena. Where should Maseko play his football, Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport, or Limassol? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.

Rivals overtake Kaizer Chiefs in race for Mamelodi Sundowns star
Rivals overtake Kaizer Chiefs in race for Mamelodi Sundowns star

The South African

time10-06-2025

  • Sport
  • The South African

Rivals overtake Kaizer Chiefs in race for Mamelodi Sundowns star

Kaizer Chiefs are still searching the market to add some top attacking talents to their side for next season. Chiefs have struggled for goals in the past three seasons and missed out on the top eight again last season. There have been quite a few attackers linked with Chiefs going into the next season. This as a sign of what they're trying to fix in the final third. Amakhosi have seen the likes of Fiston Mayele, Etiosa Ighodaro, Robert Polievka mentioned as strikers. In the wingers department Oswin Appollis, Elias Mokwana, Mihlali Mayambela and Keletso Makgalwa have been touted. Another player who was also linked with Chiefs not too long ago was Mamelodi Sundowns star Thapelo Maseko. The player has not had the best of times since joining Masandawana, getting very limited game time so far. His situation took an even worse turn after being left out by the side for their FIFA Club World Cup exploits. The rumours of Maseko joining Chiefs have gone quiet recently and its now his former side SuperSport United being mentioned. According to Soccer-Laduma , talks of a return Matsatsantsa are at an advanced stage! 'SuperSport United wanted him initially on loan in January before they got Lebohang Maboe but things didn't work out that time. Now they are working on a permanent deal for Maseko and apparently it's believed that it's imminent,' said a source to the same publication. A well placed source also told the same publication that Maseko was no longer in the Sundowns plans. 'You see those players who went to the USA for the FIFA Club World Cup are the core of Sundowns. Their contracts and future is safe. Thapelo Maseko was left behind so that he could finalise his move back to SuperSport United and now it's believed that the deal is imminent,' said the source. Chiefs fans would you still like your club to try sign Maseko? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.

5 Mamelodi Sundowns players left out of Club World Cup squad
5 Mamelodi Sundowns players left out of Club World Cup squad

IOL News

time10-06-2025

  • Sport
  • IOL News

5 Mamelodi Sundowns players left out of Club World Cup squad

BIG NAMES LEFT OUT Mamelodi Sundowns announced their Club World Cup squad, leaving out key players like Jody February (pictured), Thapelo Maseko and Matías Esquivel. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix With the Club World Cup kicking off in the USA on Saturday, there were a number of big-name omissions in the Mamelodi Sundowns squad, which will be hoping to make South Africa proud. With Sundowns' first match a week, scheduled for June 10, against Ulsan HD in Orlando, Florida, it will be with a powerful 26-player squad. As with any squad, there will always be a number of players left disappointed by being left out. Themba Zwane will lead Sundowns at the tournament, with Ronwen Williams handling the vice-captaincy duties.

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