Alje Schut joined from FC Utrecht in 2012
Collins Mbesuma signed from Bursaspor in 2008
In 2019 Mauricio Affonso joined from Alianza Lima
Matthew Booth left Russia to come home
Dillono Sheppard left Greece to return to SA
Peter Ndlovu left Englands to sign for Downs in 2004
Sibusiso Zuma came from Arminia Bielefeld in 2008
In 2018 Downs signed Toni Silva after a spell in Greece
Rashid Sumaila joined from Asante Kotoko
Bryan Aldave was recruited from Venezuela
Gaston Sirino also came from South America
So did Jorge Acuna
And Ricardo Nascimento
Ali Meza was another import from South America
Jose Torrealba was a notable recruit from South America, too
August Makalakalane joined Downs from Switzerland in 1997
Rafael Dudamel came from Deportivo Táchira
Farez Hachi came from Algeria
Nyasha Mushekwi came form CAPS United
OJ Mabizela came from Norway
Andile Jali was a free agent from Belgium
Josta Dladla was also a free agent from Denmark
Vincente Principano arrived from South America
Ghana No.1 at the time, Brimah Razak was signed from Spain
Simba Marumo had been playing in Bulgaria
Leonardo Castro came from South America
Phakamani Mahlambi joined from Al Ahly
Anele Ngcongca after spells in Belgium and France
Fiston Abdul Razak moved from a club in Kenya
Soumahoro Bangaly joined from ASEC Mimosas
Mamelodi Sundowns are not just exporters, they import players, too, as shown in this list of 30 players (see gallery) who joined them from abroad over the years.
Read: The 2016 CAF Comparisons: Can Downs Go All The Way?
The most notable are those who are South African players who, following their spells outside the borders of Mzansi, returned to our shores and were signed by the Brazilians.
A lot of them are under the Patrice Motsepe era – which makes sense given the kind of salaries they were expecting to be on if coming back home would still bring about some financial stability.
The likes of Josta Dladla, Matthew Booth and Andile Jali as well as the late Anele Ngcongca just to name a few.
Motsepe also made his mark by allowing Argentine coach Angle Cappa to also recruit a number of South America players as far back as 2004 and that love affair has continued with players like Gaston Sirino and Mauricio Affonso currently on the club’s books.
Read: Transfer Update: Zungu
For a full list of 30 players who came from abroad to join Downs, see gallery above!
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