Mamelodi Sundowns’ former DStv Diski Challenge captain, Ofentse Mashiane, is hunting for a new club after cutting ties with the club. The skilled midfielder, frequently compared to French star Paul Pogba, is a free agent.
Mashiane, who primarily operates as a defensive midfielder but can also play as a box-to-box, made his senior team debut under Rulani Mokwena. He had been impressive for the Sundowns youth teams when Mokwena handed him his maiden senior team appearance.
Nicknamed ‘La Liga’, the 24-year-old’s debut came in the 2021/22 season when a flu outbreak sidelined several senior players. This was ahead of a league clash against Royal AMin Durban.
Despite being thrown into the deep end against Thwihli Thwahla, he delivered a dazzling performance that impressed his coaches and teammates.
After that game, coach Steve Komphela tweeted praising his contribution to Sundowns’ 3-2 victory.  “He was thrown in the deep end to swim and he came through. His opportunity came at the back of others’ setbacks [flu outbreak]. Blessings and burdens are cousins. Ha a re wa e tshwara, ba hodimo hae,” wrote Komphela.
WHAT QUALITIES DOES OFENTSE MASHIANE POSSESS
In his 18–minute cameo for the senior team, the Soshanguve-born star was impressed with his calm composure, ball control and intelligent game reading. He has previously described his style as “keeping possession of the ball to dictate the pace of the midfield.”
At the time, he felt his qualities aligned perfectly with Sundowns’ renowned “Shoe Shine and Piano” style of play. Despite that appearance, his journey into the senior team was challenging due to the competition for his position.
Having progressed through the Sundowns youth ranks, captaining the DDC team, and even featuring in the ABC Motsepe League, Mashiane parted ways with the club due to a perceived lack of a clear pathway to the senior squad.
The club handed him his clearance late in 2024, and he now aims to build his senior career elsewhere.
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