The situation of Gift Motupa at Mamelodi Sundowns has been explained as his future at the club seemingly hangs in the balance.
Motupa has not come anywhere near the Sundowns bench in the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season.
In fact, FARPost can reveal that the former Baroka FC and Orlando Pirates forward has not trained with the defending champions’ senior team in recent weeks.
Motupa has spent his time training with the club’s M Tigers team under the watchful eye of Godfrey Sapula.
M Tigers is Mamelodi Sundowns’ feeder team that plays in the ABC Motsepe League. Some of the club’s players, like Keletso Makgalwa, who are awaiting loans, are currently training with the side to keep fit.
“It appears he’s not in the club’s plans for the season. He hasn’t trained with the senior team in a very long time. That’s why he’s not appeared on the bench this season.
“He’s obviously not in good physical shape at this point and would not even be ready even if he were to be called to play for the senior team,” a source close to the player revealed.
What is happening to Gift Motupa at Sundowns
With Peter Shalulile and Abubeker Nassir nursing injuries while Cassius Mailula left for the MLS, Motupa would have had a chance to impress.
Asked about the whereabouts of the 28-year-old forward, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena said: “There are quite a few issues that are sitting with the club” regarding Motupa.
“That’s with the club. The club is managing that,” Mokwena said after the club’s 2-0 victory of Polokwane City on Wednesday.
“You know, sometimes I’m asked about certain things, and I give my opinion. Because my opinion is important at the club. But I’m also just an employee of the club. So we’ll hear what the club says. They’ll give us directive on the way forward.”
Recent media reports were that Motupa had requested to leave the club ahead of the closure of the transfer window at the end of September.
MOTUPA NOT IN SUNDOWNS’ PLANS
Sundowns have already let go of a number of players ahead of the 2023/24 season. Bradley Ralani, Lyle Lakay, Andile Jali, Thabiso Kutumela and Cassius Mailula all left the club.
Masandawana welcomed Thapelo Maseko, Lucas Ribeiro, Lesiba Nku, Junior Mendietta and Bathusi Aubaas.
Motupa has struggled to break into the starting lineup at Chloorkop in recent seasons. He joined Sundowns from Bidvest Wits in 2020 and made 11 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals.
In the following season – 2021/22 – he featured four times for the club and did not register any goals. Last season, he played seven goals and scored two goals.
He has found it more difficult to get into the team in recent seasons, with the likes of Shalulile, Mailula, and Nassir all ahead of him in the pecking order.
It is clear that he is not in the plans of Sundowns. And he would be better off moving to a club where he will be able to play more regularly.
It remains to be seen where Motupa will end up. But his situation at Sundowns is a sign that the club is freshening up their attacking options ahead of the new season.
The club signed Brazilian forward Ribeiro, and the nippy forward has already scored four goals this season.
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