Sundowns torn between Thindwa, Simkonda

South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Mamelodi Sundowns is in a predicament on who to invite for trials between Epac United marksman Ishmail Thindwa and Moyale’s prolific forward Gastin Simkonda.

Thindwa is the current leading scorer in the TNM Super League with 18 goals while Simkonda has bagged in 16.

Flames legend Ernest ‘Wire’ Mtawali, who works as a scout for Sundowns, is reported to have recommended the two players to the Pretoria-based outfit.

According to a well-placed source, Sundowns only want to try one of the two players and its technical staff was still deciding on who to invite.

“Both players have been spoken to, but it would appear Sundowns want to invite only one player and they are still making inquiries on the two players,” said the source.

But Mtawali refused to comment on the issue on Monday.

“The issue is in the hands of my bosses and I don’t think it will be proper for me to comment. If everything is finalised, you will hear,” said Mtawali from Johannesburg on Monday.

Thindwa and his club director Dean Josiah-Banda confirmed having been contacted by Sundowns.

Said Josiah: “There is indeed interest, but we are still waiting for official communication from the club.”

On his part, Thindwa told The Nation that he is supposed to leave the country tomorrow.

Moyale’s coach Nicholas Mhango said the club also received official communication from Sundowns last week.

“They wanted the player to leave on Friday but the timing was too short for Gastin to prepare for the trip. So, we asked for a bit of time,” said Mhango.

This is in contrast to what Simkonda told the media last week that he was not aware of the development.