Mamelodi Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso has publicly committed to retaining key midfielder Marcelo Allende as the Chilean's contract nears its end. The 27-year-old's current deal expires in June, and the club is working to convince him his ambitions can be met in Pretoria, where the team currently sits first in the Premier Soccer League with 26 points from eight wins and two draws.
Cardoso described Allende as a maestro and a clever player who manages the game beautifully. He said the midfielder is a fantastic example, the first to arrive and last to leave, and possesses qualities that make those around him better people. The manager confirmed the club will do its best to keep the influential figure, who is a vital partner to Teboho Mokoena in the engine room.
Since joining in August 2022, Allende has become one of the Premier Soccer League's most consistent performers. His relentless work rate is a trademark, with the Chilean international regularly covering over 10 kilometres per match. His recent assist for Thabang Matuludi in the 4-1 win over Durban City on October 31 shows his creative value to a side that has scored 27 goals and conceded only nine this season.
This consistent output has been key during Sundowns' recent run of form, which has seen them win four of their last five matches, a sequence that includes the current three-game winning run. The team's recent form stands at three wins and two draws from the last five games, with victories over Golden Arrows, Durban City, and Marumo Gallants. The manager believes these performances show why Allende is indispensable to the club's project.
With Allende's contract set to conclude at the season's end, the club hierarchy remains hopeful a breakthrough can be reached before he becomes eligible to sign a pre-contract elsewhere. His decision will likely shape Sundowns' transfer strategy for the upcoming campaign. The club's immediate focus remains on the pitch, where they are on a three-game winning streak following a 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows last Tuesday, a match decided by a 69th-minute goal from top scorer Iqraam Rayners, who has four goals this season.
Negotiations will continue as Sundowns prepare for their next fixture, an away trip to face ninth-placed Kruger United on November 28. Securing Allende's future before the January transfer window opens is now a clear priority for the defending champions, who are determined to build their future around a player whose work rate and creative numbers are central to their success.
The report in full is at goal.com
