Mamelodi Sundowns have been looking at different players for the future if experienced defender Khuliso "Sailor" Mudau eventually moves to Europe, the Siya crew has been informed.
Even if Mudau remains at the Brazilians in the long term, the club has to always prepare for the future by grooming a backup option, particularly by focusing on bringing a new youngster through.
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Reliable sources close to the club have indicated that Sundowns are believed to have discovered a gem in Sphiwe "Mudau" Magubane from an amateur club in KwaZulu-Natal, who is seen as the future of South African football.
Insiders added that the 17-year-old was discovered by Sundowns' scouts during their nationwide search for future stars.
"He is a very young, talented right back. They call him Mudau at the club he plays for at Re United in KZN. Because he is in the amateur ranks he is expected to join Sundowns just like the way Themba Zwane did from a lower league club. But Themba made it at Sundowns and that's what the club is looking at," said the Siya source.
"They are believed to want to develop him to take over from Khuliso Mudau at one point. He is that good! The scouts and recruiters are happy with what they have discovered in this youngster," the source added.
A second insider stated that Magubane could have been in the Under-17 South Africa national team which coach Vela Khumalo has selected for the COSAFA tournament in Mozambique.
"Coach Vela (Khumalo) looked at him and he was happy but he wants players born in 2008 and that's why he didn't make the team. But for Sundowns, they are happy with him as they want to develop him further themselves and the technical team will be working with him from December during the break. But their main aim is for him to be the future replacement for Mudau," the second insider stated.
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Soccer Laduma contacted the player's agent Tebogo Moloi, who could neither confirm nor deny the link to Sundowns.
"The youngster is really a good right back. Fast and skilful but let's not talk much about the move at the moment... but something is happening. That I can tell you," Moloi told the Siya crew.
The 17-year-old is from Cato Ridge, where late former Golden Arrows captain Nkanyiso Mngwengwe came from. Another former PSL player from Cato Ridge was Alondwe Mngwengwe.
As Sundowns continue to build for the future, the potential addition of Magubane to their ranks highlights their commitment to discovering and nurturing young talent.
