Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Roger Feutmba has weighed in on Lazola Maku’s move to the Brazilians following the youngster’s official unveiling on Tuesday as a free agent.
Sundowns secured the signature of the South Africa U-20 international following his departure from Siwelele FC at the end of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.
After wrapping up his spell with Siwelele, the talented teenager has signed for Sundowns, joining a star-studded squad at Chloorkop.
Maku came through the Ubuntu Cape Town academy before joining the now-defunct SuperSport United in 2023 to feature for their DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] side.
The highly-rated central midfielder played a starring role for SuperSport’s reserve team, earning well-deserved recognition in South Africa’s junior national team setups.
Maku was a key component of the Amajita squad that claimed the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] title last year with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morocco in Egypt. The 19-year-old also represented South Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, notably finding the back of the net in a group-stage match against New Caledonia.
On the international stage, Maku has established himself as one of the continent’s brightest young prospects, earning plaudits for his composure as a deep-lying playmaker, his expansive passing range, and his eye for goal.
FEUTMBA BACK FOR SUCCESS DESPITE TOUGH COMPETITION AT SUNDOWNS
Speaking on the high-profile transfer, Feutmba admitted that while Maku possesses all the necessary qualities to succeed at Sundowns, he will need to double his efforts to break into a heavily contested midfield.
“I believe as a player it’s important to move to a big team and test your talent at the early stage of your career,” Feutmba told FARPost.
“So it’s important to quickly fit in the club’s structure. We all know he has all the qualities of a good midfielder. That’s the first reason Sundowns signed him.
“The team signed him; it means they saw that he fits in the Sundowns philosophy. He has to train well and make sure he’s always ready when he’s given a chance, if Teboho Mokoena is tired or when he retires.
“He’s going to compete with very good midfielders, and some of them are still waiting for their chances to play. So he has to put in more work than the midfielders who are already at the club.”
At Sundowns, Maku will fight for a place in the engine room alongside established stars such as Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, Thabo Cele, and Marcelo Allende, as well as his fellow U-20 teammate Gomolemo Kekana, who is also eager to command regular first-team minutes.
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