South African forward Luther Singh has opened up about how Bafana Bafana international Thapelo Maseko hit the ground running at Cypriot outfit AEL Limassol.
The 22-year-old winger, Maseko, moved to Limassol on a loan deal from the reigning CAF Champions League winners, Mamelodi Sundowns, in January this year.
Prior to his European switch, Maseko endured a challenging spell at Sundowns under Portuguese tactician Miguel Cardoso, finding game time hard to come by over the preceding months.
Maseko joined Chloorkop in July 2023 from SuperSport United—the Tshwane side that sold its top-flight status to Siwelele FC ahead of the just-concluded 2025/26 campaign.
Since setting foot in Cyprus, Maseko has enjoyed a resurgence, making 15 appearances. He netted two goals and provided one assist across all competitions.
‘HE CAME WITH A CLEAR MIND’: LUTHER SINGH
Speaking exclusively to FARPost, Singh expressed his delight at sharing a dressing room with a compatriot in Europe for the first time in his career.
“Thapelo, for me, is one of the amazing players. He’s very good, and he has a bright future ahead of him,” Singh told this publication.
“It was great to share a dressing room with another South African player in a different country. I have been in Europe for quite some time, and I have never experienced this feeling before.
“It was good to have him on our team. When he arrived, it was at an important time, and he came with a clear mind. He’s someone who wants to work and learn. I just feel that if he continues working like he is right now, everything ahead of him will be perfect.”
Singh added that the welcoming environment at Limassol played a massive role in getting the best out of the former SuperSport United star.
“So, he came at a perfect time here at the club, and they gave him a chance and an opportunity. Also, because of his work, he deserves to get the opportunity that he got,” declared Singh. “The way the team welcomed him was very warm; he felt the love and appreciation, which made him feel like one of us.
“I also tried to help him whenever I could, but he’s an experienced player as well because he played in big competitions and came from one of the big clubs in South Africa. So, you don’t need to tell him too many things, but I try to help where I can. He was open-minded, which made things easier for him and for us to help.”
FIFA WORLD CUP REWARD FOR THAPELO MASEKO
Maseko’s impressive resurgence in Limassol colours has not gone unnoticed by national team head coach, Hugo Broos.
The talented attacker has been named in Broos’ final 26-man Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The squad announcement took place on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
South Africa find themselves in Group A for the global showpiece, where they will do battle against co-hosts Mexico, South Korea, and the Czech Republic.
The tournament, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, featuring an expanded 48-team format.
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