Mamelodi Sundowns are finalising their squad for the upcoming season, which will include players for both domestic league competitions and the CAF Champions League campaign.
As previously reported by Soccer Laduma, the Brazilians are giving more youngsters opportunities in the senior team this season, including a standout defender from South Africa's triumphant U20 AFCON campaign.
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Insiders at Chloorkop have indicated that the technical team has recommended to management that they register young left-back Thato Sibiya for the upcoming season.
"Thato Sibiya is believed to be set to be officially registered with the senior team for both the PSL and the CAF Champions League in the upcoming season. His name is part of the list that will be officially submitted to the PSL and CAF. It's because he has been doing very well since he started training with the senior team after returning back from Egypt with the Under-20 national team that won their AFCON," the source told Soccer Laduma.
A second source stated that an injury situation in the squad has further opened the door for the youngster's promotion.
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"Yes, there are a number of left backs but one may leave and one is out injured, so they want to have that good balance between youth, experience and competition as well. That's why they have promoted Majoro (Thato Sibiya) to the senior team," the second insider revealed.
The Brazilians currently have multiple options at left-back, including newly signed Fawaaz Basadien, Divine Lunga, Aubrey Modiba, the injured Asekho Tiwani, and Terence Mashego, who is reportedly being considered for a move away from the club.
This development aligns with Sundowns' increased focus on youth development and their strategy of gradually integrating promising academy graduates into the first-team setup while maintaining a competitive squad for both domestic and continental challenges.
Soccer Laduma contacted Sundowns for comment on the situation but the club had not responded by the time this report was published.
