Mamelodi Sundowns might not need to go out into the market to replace Andile Jali, with three players who were out on loan eager to get an opportunity to showcase their talent at Chloorkop.
Jali recently parted ways with the club and, as reported by the Siya crew, could sign for former club, Orlando Pirates, who are looking to give him a short-term deal. Sundowns are understood to be chasing Junior Mendieta from Stellenbosch FC, but the Argentine midfielder has a completely different role to what Jali had to offer, when he was still playing regularly, of course.
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Sundowns had three midfielders who were out on loan during the past season and they have the potential to come into the team and compete for a place next term, without them going into the market to find someone who played with the guts and guile of Jali. Soccer Laduma looks at three midfielders who are dying to get an opportunity to play at Chloorkop and could just be the perfect replacements, if given a chance to show what they can do by head coach Rulani Mokwena.
Grant Margeman
The former Ajax Cape Town midfielder spent the season with SuperSport United and was a success. He signed a two-season loan deal with SuperSport, but indications are that Sundowns will welcome him back for pre-season, though Matsatsantsa are pushing to keep him for at least another campaign. Margeman has stated in media interviews that he wants to prove himself at Sundowns. He has the work rate, ability to play in the Sundowns system and is as robust as Jali is on the pitch.
Siphesihle Mkhize
Loaned out to Chippa United during the past season, Mkhize has shown that he has an ability to pass the ball and do the dirty work in the middle of the park. Mkhize, who has also been loaned out to Ajax in the past, is 24 and has gained valuable experience from his spells out on loan. He played 24 matches in all competitions for the Chilli Boys, proving to be a key player, despite the chopping and changing that happened in the coaching department at the club. He is another who is expected to make a return to Chloorkop for pre-season, but there are no guarantees yet if he will stay with the DStv Premiership champions.
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Luvuyo Phewa
Not quite the same as Margeman and Mkhize in playing style, but Phewa is someone who can fit into the system at Sundowns and play in the middle of the park. He spent the second half of the season on loan to Cape Town Spurs and is currently involved in the play offs, as Spurs look to win promotion to the topflight. The Cape side is keen on holding onto the player, as reported by the Siya crew, but a final decision will be made in the coming weeks.
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