Promise Mkhuma explains why Sundowns return looks likely
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Promise Mkhuma, currently on loan, has shared his reasons for believing that a full-time return to his parent club is likely.
Mkhuma, who currently plays for the University of Pretoria FC in the second-tier, believes his strong performances on loan could secure him a permanent spot back with Sundowns.
The attacker signed his first professional contract at Sundowns in 2020, penning a five-year deal upon his promotion to the first team.
During his time under coach Pitso Mosimane at Sundowns, Mkhuma, who emerged from the club’s youth academy, impressed and was considered a promising talent. However, his playing opportunities were limited, resulting in only 23 appearances for the reigning DStv Premiership champions.
Limited playing opportunities presented a challenge for Mkhuma during his loan spell. There were also rumors circulating about the possibility of him signing a permanent contract with other PSL teams.
As a result, the 23-year-old winger was loaned out to the now-defunct Motsepe Foundation Championship club, All Stars, last season, where he made 12 appearances and scored two goals.
Mkhuma could also have joined the Soweto giants, Moroka Swallows, in 2022, but the deal did not materialise as the Dube Birds were unable to register players due to a FIFA ban.
PROMISE MKHUMA AIMS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FULL-TIME RETURN
At the start of the 2023/24 campaign, upon his return to Chloorkop, the Tshwane-born winger made a crosstown switch from Masandawana to AmaTuks on loan.
He has played five matches for Tuks so far in all competitions.
Mkhuma’s latest comments suggest he is determined to put things right and return to Chloorkop to turn out for Rulani Mokwena’s side next season.
“I’m here at Tuks to grow up. I have to push and get back there, but right now, I’m focused here on Tuks,” Mkhuma told reporters after his side’s important 1-0 win over Cape Town Spurs in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 on Tuesday night.
“I have to get back there, but really, my focus is here; Sundowns brought me here to work with the Tuks team, so if I do well, I don’t know, it will come from Sundowns.
“But if I can push myself and do more, everything is possible. And I don’t think it’s a failure for me; you know it’s hard there [at Sundowns], and sometimes things go well, but it’s hard there.
“I think the lack of playing time affected my performance at Sundowns. And because I was still young, maybe I wasn’t quite ready there. But I have to get back there.”
RELATED STORY: How PSL teams could keep up and try to close Sundowns’ gap
By Clifton Mabasa