Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has admitted that winger Thapelo Maseko has rejected an opportunity to be integrated back into the team as he seeks a move away from the African champions.
This after the player expressed his dissatisfaction with threads of stories on Instagram saying he regretted the day having signed for the club and how he wanted out.
Last season, the 22-year-old Bafana Bafana attacker went out on loan at Cypriot topflight side AEL Limassol where he netted two goals and an assist in 15 matches.
Cardoso has since broken his silence on Maseko after Masandawana booked their spot in the MTN8 semis beating Polokwane City 3-2.
“Very simple and very objective. First of all, between coach Miguel and Thapelo Maseko, there is no issues. Yesterday I had a beautiful talk with Maseko,” Cardoso said in his post-match presser.
“When I was asked from inside the club to discuss the situation of Maseko, obviously we had to understand if he wants to stay with us or no. Because I don’t want to work with players that don’t want to be part of our group.
“So, my question on Thapelo even yesterday I asked him, ‘Look, my heart is open for you, the team is open for you if you want to join us and stay open heart with us’.
“Obviously, when the player says but I wanna go to other places, then it becomes a club’s question, and not a coach’s question.
“So, I’m not deep inside the conversation that happens so I cannot give more explanations. Rather we say, Thapelo is a wonderful boy. We like him very much.
“Me and him we exchanged message throughout the whole competition [World Cup] and I think I even helped him on how to put more energy to what he was doing.”
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