Sundowns Part Ways With Veteran Performance Analyst Masha
Sportswire can confirm that Mamelodi Sundowns have officially parted ways with performance analyst Mario Masha.
Masha was suspended by Sundowns in February until the end of the season following allegations that he leaked information to former Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena, who was then at MC Alger, during the two sides’ final group-stage match of the CAF Champions League.
However, Mokwena denied the allegations during a press conference on the eve of that match, stating that he had not received any information on how to approach the game against Sundowns and insisting he would never jeopardise someone else’s career.
Mokwena—who remains popular among Sundowns supporters—did confirm that he and Masha had been in contact.
He explained that their discussions were professional in nature and partly related to Masha’s ongoing UEFA coaching course.
“We have shared information,” Mokwena admitted. “But some of that dates back to our time working together at Mamelodi Sundowns.”
Meanwhile, Brayan León, who has impressed since arriving in the January transfer window, proved decisive for Sundowns. He scored twice to secure their progression to the knockout stages, dealing a blow to Mokwena’s side.
Sundowns have since continued their historic run, reaching the Champions League final for the second consecutive season.
They defeated Espérance de Tunis 1–0 on Saturday, completing a 2–0 aggregate victory, with León scoring both goals.
Before his suspension, Masha had spent 10 years and seven months with Sundowns, having joined the club in August 2015.
Prior to his move to Chloorkop, he spent a season with Maritzburg United—now known as Durban City—between August 2014 and July 2015, before being recruited by Sundowns.
Masha, who holds a UEFA A Licence coaching certificate, has also worked abroad. He spent two years and three months with New York Red Bulls from August 2009 to October 2011.
Meanwhile, Goolam Valodia, who left Sundowns at the end of last season after 15 years in the same role, has since joined Durban City, who are finalists in the Nedbank Cup.
