“My Heart Is Open” – Cardoso Breaks Silence On Maseko’s Sundowns Future

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has addressed Thapelo Maseko’s situation at the club amid reports that the youngster is unhappy following his return from a season-long loan spell at Cypriot outfit AEL Limassol.

The 21-year-old was also left out of Sundowns’ pre-season tour of Austria, raising further questions about his future at Chloorkop.

Maseko returned to the club after representing South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he impressed on the international stage. The winger still has two years remaining on his contract with Sundowns.

However, Cardoso insists there is no bad blood between himself and Maseko, stressing that any discussions regarding the player’s future are between the youngster and the club.

“Very simple and very objective, first of all, between coach Miguel and Thapelo Maseko, there are no issues,” Cardoso said after Sundowns’ 3-2 MTN8 victory over Polokwane City at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

“Yesterday, I had a beautiful talk with Maseko. When I was asked inside the club to discuss Maseko’s situation, obviously, we had to understand whether he wanted to stay with us or not because I don’t want to work with players who don’t want to be part of our group.

“So, my question to Thapelo, even yesterday, was: ‘My heart is open for you. The team is open for you if you want to join us and stay open-hearted with us.’

“Obviously, when a player says, ‘I want to go to another place,’ it becomes the club’s question, not the coach’s.

“So, I’m not really deep inside the conversations that are happening, so I cannot give more explanations, rather than say Thapelo is a wonderful boy. We like him very much.”