Mamelodi Sundowns FC have signed six young players since the start of last season to build a younger squad and secure long-term replacements for aging veterans. The move comes as the club plans for the expected departure of midfielder Marcelo Allende at the end of the season. Sundowns sit first in the Premier Soccer League with 26 points from ten games, having won their last three matches including a 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows on Tuesday. Their record of eight wins and two draws from ten games has given them a one-point lead at the top, and their recent form shows three wins and two draws from their last five outings.
Veteran exits and succession planning
A core group of experienced players is now over 30, including Themba Zwane, Grant Kekana, Thapelo Morena, Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, and Bathusi Aubaas. All of the club's first-team goalkeepers are also 32 or older. This has prompted a deliberate shift towards youth investment to safeguard against future departures and maintain the club's dominance. The strategy includes promoting national under-20 captain and midfielder Lazola Maku, who is expected to step into the role currently held by Marcelo Allende. The club's sporting director, Flemming Berg, confirmed the signings are a direct response to the aging profile of the squad. He stated the new recruits, whose names were not all disclosed, are seen as long-term investments to ensure continuity. The process of integrating them into the first team environment has already begun, with several featuring in cup matches and training regularly with the senior side.
Goal contributions from experienced players
While planning for the future, the club continues to rely on key contributions from its established stars. Striker Iqraam Rayners, who will turn 31 in December, is the team's top scorer this season with four goals in seven appearances. He scored the only goal in the recent win over Golden Arrows and also found the net in the 4-1 victory against Durban City last week. His form remains key as Sundowns hold a one-point lead at the top of the standings. Midfielder Themba Zwane, 34, remains a creative force, while the defensive experience of players like Grant Kekana is considered vital for mentoring the incoming generation. Coach Rulani Mokwena praised the balance, noting the veterans are essential for setting standards as the younger players develop.
The club's commitment to blending youth with experience will be tested in the coming weeks. The next fixture is an away trip to face ninth-placed Kruger United on 28 November, which could provide opportunities for new talents to feature. With 27 goals scored and just nine conceded this campaign, Sundowns' immediate focus is on extending their unbeaten start while integrating the next generation. Berg added that the club is monitoring several other young prospects locally and on the continent, indicating this youth-driven strategy is an ongoing process rather than a one-off initiative. The team's recent sequence of results, including a 1-1 draw with Wiliete and a 4-1 win over Richards Bay, shows their consistent form as they build for the future.
The report in full is at soccerladuma.co.za
