Harambee Stars defender Brian Mandela will cut ties with South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns following the conclusion of his contract this month.
Harambee Stars defender Brian Mandela is set to leave South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns with his contract running out at the end of this month.
Mandela has endured a tough spell at Sundowns since joining the club in 2020 from Maritzburg United, despite winning three league titles, with injuries and poor form limiting his opportunities.
The 2023-24 campaign saw him claim his third straight South African top-flight crown with the Brazilians but it was another season when he played a peripheral role.
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Just like the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns, Mandela has been blighted by injuries and poor form that has seen him given few minutes by coach Rulani Mokwena.
Now, the club seems to have made up its mind to part ways with the defender, one year after it was reported that he was surplus to requirements, at the South African giants.
South African national broadcaster SABC reported on Thursday that Sundowns will cut ties with Mandela as the club looks to bolster its backline with other targets ahead of their title defence next season.
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Mandela made 61 appearances in all competitions in the yellow and blue of Sundowns, with nine of those coming in the just-concluded campaign, which saw him feature in just three league games.
It seems even Sundowns fans had enough as he was booed during the club’s match against Sekhukhune United in April, his first appearance for Masandawana in 20 matches, which promoted his coach to leap to his defence.
“As human beings, why are we berated when we make mistakes? I make more mistakes than Brian Onyango ever makes but he knows that I love him and I support him. He has my backing 100 percent because he also protects me all the time,” Mokwena said after the incident.
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Mandela will now have to look for opportunities elsewhere in South Africa, or on the continent, where he can play regularly following his bit-part role at Sundowns.
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