Wth Mamelodi Sundowns known for spending big, former Bafana Bafana defender Tsepo Masilela reveals how he nearly signed for the Tshwane giants.
The deal almost happened at the end of the 2005/06 season whilst on the books of the defunct Benoni Premier United, but the late Dumisani Ndlovu had plans for the defender to move abroad.
“You know, before my move I was with Benoni Premier United – 2005-06 season, if I’m not mistaken. The team gets sold, it’s going to move to Durban, they’ve sold part of the package and players excluding me and July Mahlangu,” Masilela said in an interview with Marawa Sports Worldwide.
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“But we had the late may his soul rest in peace, Dumisani Ndlovu, he had his own way of doing things (laughs). I guess, how do I put it?
“We were the two favourite players, I was with Benoni Premier United, I think it was five or six years before it got sold together with July Mahlangu. So, I heard of the deal that they were selling the team, players excluding me and July Mahlangu. Mind you before the end of the season, it was our first season after getting promotion via play-offs, towards the end of season, I started getting offers.
“I had a solid offer from Sundowns, it was coach Gordon Igusend (who coached them at the time) if I’m not mistaken. So, towards the end of the season I had an offer," the defender said.
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“They spoke to the chairman of the team. He gave his blessings, negotiations started but the season was not done. So, once we were saved because we were fighting relegation at the time, so we couldn’t really get into those talks because the focus had to be on the team – saving the team,” he added.
The offer from Masandawana came, and despite his desire to play for Downs, made the move abroad.
So, once the team was saved and sold, Ndlovu told me, 'No I’m not selling'. He said 'I want you to, it’s my wish for you to go play overseas', but me in my heart (I) think it was the right time to make that step to go play for a big team in South Africa,” Masilela said.
The 38-year-old last appeared on the books of AmaZulu in 2002 and enjoyed a stellar career at Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs, Israeli side Maccabi Haifa and LaLiga’s Getafe CF.
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