Mamelodi Sundowns’ transfer flops

The transfer market is soon to open and DStv Premiership clubs will be able to improve their squads or offload players they no longer require.

There could be some movement in either direction at runaway league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have already been linked with Lanus midfielder Matías Esquivel, who would be their latest South American import.

But while The Brazilians have had much success in the transfer market, especially with local players, they have not always got it right in the last few decades.

We look at 10 players for who were underwhelming following a move to Chloorkop.

JEREMY BROCKIE

The New Zealand international had been scoring for fun at SuperSport United, becoming the club’s top goalscorer (at the time) and making the league look easy. It was no surprise when Sundowns signed him January 2017, but he managed only four goals (three in the CAF Champions League) in 34 appearances over 18 months before he was sent on loan to Maritzburg United. He scored just once in 21 DStv Premiership matches at Sundowns.

EMMANUEL BAFFOUR

The Ghana striker arrived from New Edubiase in his homeland with a big reputation and promising goals but left after one season in 2012/13 with just three appearances behind his name and having failed to find the back of the net. He tried to find a club to stay in the PSL but there were no takers. He later returned home and his career never reached any great heights.

RAFAEL DUDAMEL

Venezuela international goalkeeper Dudamel was already 32 when he joined Sundowns from in 2005, but he was expected to compete with Andre Arendse and Brian Baloyi, and push for a starting berth. Instead he made only eight appearances in the season and quickly moved on. He later went on to coach the Venezuelan national team.

KERMIT ERASMUS

Bafana Bafana forward Erasmus arrived from Cape Town City with bags of experience having also played in France and the Netherlands. He said he wanted to score 30 goals in his first season in 2020/21. In 43 appearances he scored 10 goals (four in the league) and has since returned to former club Orlando Pirates. Peter Shalulile did show it was possible though with his 30 goals in the 2021/22 campaign.

HICHANI HIMOONDE

The Zambian defender arrived with a big reputation from TP Mazembe in January 2014 but despite spending almost two years on the books of The Brazilians, did not make a single appearance for the team. He had a couple of loan spells at ZESCO United before leaving in November 2015.

EDWARD MANQELE

Sundowns snapped up Manqele from Free State Stars after the player had excelled in his debut topflight campaign in 2011/12. He spent a little over two years at Chloorkop but managed only four goals in 26 appearances, while he was also loaned to Moroka Swallows and eventually sold to Chippa United.

JOSE ALI MEZA

Meza was the player Sundowns were actually scouting when they spotted Gaston Sirino and moved for him instead but did later go back in for the Venezuelan and finally signed him in 2018. He was, to an extent, hampered by injury, but managed only four goals in 30 appearances over two seasons before he was, like Brockie, sent to Maritzburg United. Maybe the timing was just wrong with this one.

ERWIN SAAVEDRA

We might need to put an asterisk next to this one and say ‘so far …’. But Saavedra has been a huge disappointment since his reported US$800 000 (R15-million) move from Bolivar in January 2022. He has not been helped by injuries, but when he has played, has looked off the pace and not of the required standard. He has made a single league start (and 10 appearances in all competitions) in his time at Chloorkop. Maybe the 27-year-old will come good, but it looks highly unlikely.

TONI SILVA

This one was a bit of a vanity signing as Sundowns brought in the former Liverpool player, who it was clear was long past his best and a journeyman looking for a pay-day. He spent only six months at the club scoring two goals in 11 appearances, but it was clear from the start he was a bad fit. Remarkably, he has played for a further seven clubs since leaving Sundowns in 2019! He is currently in Kuwait with Kazma.

EJIKE UZOENYI

The left-winger was signed by Sundowns a big-money deal with Nigerian side Enugu Rangers in February 2014, initially going back on loan but then joining The Brazilians for the start of the 2014/15 campaign. He spent almost three years at Chloorkop but made only eight appearances, before later turning out for BidVest Wits and Ajax Cape Town, though with no great success at either of those two clubs.