Sundowns shelve plans on Kamwendo
South African top-flight league side Mamelodi Sundowns have indefinitely shelved their plans to sign revitalised Flames midfielder Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo.
The club’s spokesperson Kabelo Mosito confirmed in an interview that they had put on hold plans to get Kamwendo on board due to what he described as technical reasons.
Instead, the Brazilians have signed three other foreign-based players including latest Dutch arrival Alje Schut. The others are Ghanaians Emmanuel Baffor and Mumasi Abubakar.
Sundowns have since exhausted their foreign quota as they already have five other foreigners on their books from last season, namely Elias Pelembe, Simba Sithole, Method Mwanjali, Solomon Okpako and Nyasha Mushekwi.
“Kamwendo is still in the picture, but he is not in the technical panel’s immediate plans.
“He might be invited for further assessment later in the year. That is what I can say for now,†said the Sundowns spokesperson from Johannesburg.
This development comes in the wake of contrasting views in the team’s coaching panel over the player.
While head scout Ian Gorowa and his deputy Ernest Mtawali recommended to management that Kamwendo should be offered an outright contract following his eye-catching performances for the Flames, technical director Trott Moloto was of the view that the player cannot make an impact.
Meanwhile, the player’s manager Charles Martin of Eyasizwe Trading, has hinted on the prospects of exploring other avenues.
“The thing is we cannot wait indefinitely. There are other teams that have shown interest in Joseph both here [in South Africa] and in Europe.
“There was indication that Sundowns would sign him outright, but with the recent developments then we would rather explore other options,†said Martin.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that Chippa United and Amazulu are the other teams that have shown interest to sign Kamwendo.
Kamwendo could not be reached on Wednesday for comment on the matter.
