Mamelodi Sundowns could face another foreign spots conundrum should they look beyond borders for signings. Here’s a look at their non-SA players who hold Permanent Residency Permits.
According to the CAF Champions League 2022/23 registrations seen by FARPost, Sundowns had four foreign players listed under non-SA passports.
It was Erwin Saavedra [Bolivia], Abubeker Nasir [Ethiopia], Marcelo Allende [Chile], and Abdelmounaim Boutouil [Morocco].
All the aforementioned names are yet to qualify for PRPs as they haven’t completed five years in the country.
However, over the past few seasons, Sundowns have managed to acquire PRPs for five of their foreign players who’re in their current squad.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS NON-SA PLAYERS WHO HOLD SA PERMANENT RESIDENCY PERMITS
• Gaston Sirino [Uruguay]
The 32-year-old is the recent Masandawana member to get a PRP. Sirino, who joined Sundowns in the middle of the 2017/18 season, is also eligible to represent Bafana Bafana as he has never been capped for Uruguay.
• Kennedy Mweene [Zambia]
Mweene has spent almost all his career in South Africa having been in the country for 18 years. Meanwhile, the 2012 AFCON winner has served Bafana Ba Style for 10 years.
• Denis Onyango [Uganda]
Just like Mweene, Onyango has been in the country for 18 years. The 38-year-old has served four clubs in the PSL – Mamelodi Sundowns, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United.
• Brian Mandela Onyango [Kenya]
Meanwhile, Mandela Onyango started his PSL journey with Santos FC in 2012. He then moved to Maritzburg United in 2015 before Sundowns signed him in 2020.
• Peter Shalulile [Namibia]
It’s understood, the Brazilians’ talisman was granted a PRP at the beginning of the previous campaign. Shalulile has been in the country since 2015 when he joined Highlands Park.
SUNDOWNS TO FACE FOREIGN SPOTS CONANDRUM AGAIN?
According to SABC Sport, the Brazilians have already acquired the services of the Argentine attacking midfielder Junior Mendieta from Stellenbosch FC.
The PSL only allows clubs to register five foreigners. Now, if Rulani Mokwena’s side still wants to bring in an SA non-resident, they’d have to free up a foreign spot.
Sundowns still have two on-loan foreigners in Devine Lunga [Zimbabwe] and Etiosa Ighodaro [Nigeria]. The duo is unlikely to return to Chloorkop ahead of the new season.
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