Mamelodi Sundowns have announced that Lebohang Maboe and Rivaldo Coetzee have departed the club after their contracts were not renewed.

Maboe saw minimal playing time last season and was loaned to SuperSport United in the second half of the season in search of game time. Upon his return, the club did not renew his contract. He had been with Sundowns since the 2018/19 season, joining from Maritzburg United.

Maboe will forever be remembered for scoring three goals in the final match of the 2019/20 season when Sundowns defeated Black Leopards at Dobsonville Stadium to snatch the league title from Kaizer Chiefs. Chiefs only needed a win to claim the title but drew with Baroka FC during the bio-bubble.

The 31-year-old won six league titles, two Nedbank Cups, one Carling Knockout, one MTN8, and the African Football League with the club.

Coetzee, however, joined Sundowns a year before Maboe’s arrival, carrying a significant injury from Cape Town Spurs.

He was initially slated to sign with Brendan Rodgers’ Glasgow Rangers but failed a medical examination after a long-standing injury was discovered, which required immediate treatment, while Rangers needed him to play right away.

When that move fell through, Sundowns seized the opportunity and provided him with all the necessary medical attention.

Coetzee became an important player for the club, converting to play in a deep-lying midfield role in addition to his usual position as a center-back. He seemed to excel in the deep-lying role, always aware of his surroundings and often producing intelligent passes.

With Sundowns, he won eight league titles, the African Football League, two Nedbank Cups, one MTN8, and one Carling Knockout trophy. Despite being hampered by injuries last season, he was part of the squad that lost the CAF Champions League final to Pyramids.

There is no doubt that Maboe and Coetzee will find new clubs soon. They still possess the quality to play at the PSL level, but competition at Sundowns simply became too intense.