Sundowns back in transfer market as window opens next week

Although the Premier Soccer League transfer window only opens next week, Mamelodi Sundowns have announced the signing of Chippa United right back Zola Mdunyelwa, on what the champions termed a ‘long term deal”.

Mdunyelwa has impressed this season at struggling Chippa and was included in a preliminary squad named by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos earlier in the season.

The 24-year-old has missed only two of Chippa’s 15 league games this season and also played in the Carling Knockout. He was sent off in the 2-0 loss at Sekhukhune United on December 6 and sat out the subsequent games against Lamontville Golden arrows and Polokwane City.

?????????????????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ???????????????????? ?

Defender Zuko Mdunyelwa has put pen to paper as he joins Masandawana from Chippa United on a long-term deal! ??

Let's welcome him in the comments below! ?#Sundowns #WelcomeZuko pic.twitter.com/8afepvBt7K — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) December 28, 2023

With his move to Pretoria, he now also misses out a potential last appearance for Chippa away at TS Galaxy on Saturday.

Mdunyelwa joined Chippa from Cape United in 2021 and made a total of 51 starts for the Gqeberha-based club. He is a product of Cape Town City’s junior structures and will now battle with the likes of Khuliso Mudau and Thapelo Morena for a place on the right hand side of the Sundowns’ defence.

The purchase of Mdunyelwa continues Sundowns’ prolific activity in the transfer market after signing Bathusi Aubaas (TS Galaxy), Thapelo Maseko (SuperSport United), Junior Mendieta (Stellenbosch) and Lesiba Nku from Marumo Gallants, plus the Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro from Belgium.