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Sundowns to make decision on two foreign players

Mamelodi Sundowns are considering loaning out Pavol Safranko and Erwin Saavedra to create space for new foreign signings. 

The Brazilians have exhausted their foreign quota after the signing of Chile international midfielder Marcelo Allende, Ethiopia striker Abubeker Nassir and Moroccan defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil.

Apart from Safranko and Saavedra, Sundowns already have Divine Lunga, Gaston Sirino and Peter Shalulile, who do not hold permanent residency status.

However, Namibia star Shalulile has applied for permanent residency after spending over five years playing Premier Soccer League football. 

But even if Shalulile acquires permanent residency status, the coming in of three new players leaves the squad without free space for one of them.

“The challenge is that Home Affairs takes long to process these applications. Shalulile has already applied, but they are yet to approve. Divine and Sirino will be eligible to apply next year,” a source told FARPost.

Masandawana coaches could now loan out Safranko after the Slovakian stayed in the shadow of Shalulile and scored five goals in 16 Premier Soccer League appearances.

Safranko

Injury-prone Saavedra featured in four games across all competitions after his mid-season arrival in the PSL and is also lined up for a loan move.

Sundowns are now keen to create space for former Arsenal target Allende who bade his Montevideo City Torque teammates farewell on Monday, according to reports from Chile.

Moroccan Botola Pro League side Chabab Mohammedia have already confirmed the transfer of Boutouil to the PSL champions.

The 24-year-old centre-back arrives at Chloorkop after Sundowns coaches bitterly complained about some defensive frailties following last season’s Caf Champions League exit.

Nassir, Ethiopia’s star at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals, is expected to land in South Africa as a backup for Shalulile. 

The defending DStv Premiership champions already brought Sipho Mbule from SuperSport, with reports also linking national team goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to the club.

RELATED STORY: Mosimane on what it took to bring Mokwena back to Sundowns

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