Sundowns Beat Chiefs to R45m Mayele Signing?
Mamelodi Sundowns have reportedly won the race to sign Congolese striker Fiston Mayele, edging out rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the process.
According to Africafoot, the Brazilians have secured a deal for the prolific 30-year-old forward, who is set to leave Egyptian side Pyramids FC at the end of the 2024/25 season. Sundowns are believed to have agreed to a €2.2 million (roughly R45 million) transfer fee, with Mayele expected to sign a three-year contract.
Mayele, who caught the eye by scoring against Sundowns in the CAF Champions League final, has netted an impressive 41 goals during his stint in Egypt. Despite a quieter domestic run in the 2024/25 campaign — with just six goals and two assists — his reputation for delivering in big matches has seemingly sealed the deal in Sundowns’ favour.
The high-profile acquisition now casts uncertainty over the futures of fellow attackers Peter Shalulile and Lebo Mothiba, both of whom share a similar playing style. Shalulile’s form has seen a noticeable dip, while Mothiba has yet to make a significant impact since joining in January.
Given that Mayele is a foreign player, Sundowns will need to reassess their foreign quota, which already includes Marcelo Allende, Abdelmounaim Boutouil, and Junior Mendieta. This could lead to one of the current internationals being deregistered or sent out on loan to make room.
Orlando Pirates had also reportedly shown interest in the Congolese star, while Kaizer Chiefs and Saudi clubs Al Riyadh, Al Kholood, and Al Khaleej were also believed to be in the mix. However, it appears that Sundowns have pulled off a major coup by securing one of the continent’s most feared goal scorers.
About The Author
