Having initially been left out of the FIFA Club World Cup squad and with his future at the team hanging in the balance, a European lifeline appears to have emerged for a Mamelodi Sundowns winger.
As previously reported by Soccer Laduma, other Betway Premiership clubs, such as Kaizer Chiefs, have apparently shown interest in Thapelo Maseko, but now there is a European team that is understood to have enquired about the player.
READ: Pirates’ New Era To Include Familiar Face
An insider with connections to Cypriot clubs has indicated that Aris Limassol have enquired about South African winger Maseko.
"There is local interest including Kaizer Chiefs and from his former team SuperSport United. But it seems a possible move to Cyprus is more prominent at this point. They have enquired about the price and signing on fee and some logistics as well already. It's all up to the involved parties to agree on everything and things will work out. But, yes, interest from Aris Limassol, the same team that Mihlali Mayambela plays for, is there," the source told the Siya crew.
READ: How Downs Could Use Surprise Mashego Deal
The Sebokeng-born winger has not been a regular selection under coach Miguel Cardoso and has only played some of the games this past season. Last season he won the inaugural African Football League Player of the Tournament and was part of the Bronze-winning Bafana Bafana squad at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast.
The potential move to Cyprus could provide Maseko with a valuable European platform to revive his career after falling out of the starting eleven at Chloorkop. Joining Aris Limassol could see him link up with fellow South African Mayambela (if he remains there), potentially easing his transition to European football.
The coming weeks should reveal whether the Cypriot interest materialises into a concrete offer or if local suitors like Chiefs or SuperSport can persuade Maseko to join them instead. With the high amount of games and many competitions the Brazilians are involved in, it's also possible that Sundowns might choose to keep him as an excellent squad player.
