Football: Al Ahly eyeing Mamelodi Sundowns star after impressive AFCON 2025 campaign?

by Devesh Jaganath

image Football: Al Ahly eyeing Mamelodi Sundowns star after impressive AFCON 2025 campaign?
Despite South Africa’s disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign, which ended in the Round of 16 against Cameroon, one player caught the eye of Africa’s record club champions. Reports in recent days have suggested that Al Ahly are considering a move for Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena in the current transfer window.

Mokoena to replace Dieng in Red Devils’ engine room?

South Africa’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign may have ended prematurely, having exited the tournament in the Round of 16 to Cameroon, but Teboho Mokoena’s performance in Morocco has led to interest from the most successful club in Africa. 

In recent days, reports from various news outlets across the continent have revealed that the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder is on the radar of Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, who are looking to bolster their squad during the current transfer window. 

It is understood that the Red Devils are looking for a long-term replacement for Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng, whose contract is nearing an end, and Mokoena is believed to have emerged as one of the front-runners to bolster the team’s ranks in the middle of the park.

However, Mokoena’s agent, Glyn Binkin, has attempted to downplay the rumours, publicly stating that the Masandawana star is fully focused on the remainder of the season with the Brazilians, while denying that any formal enquiry has been made regarding his availability. Bikini said: 

“We have not received any contact whatsoever from Al Ahly regarding signing Mokoena. Mokoena is still under contract with Mamelodi Sundowns, having renewed his contract last year.”

The 28-year-old midfielder was handed a lucrative new deal by Sundowns last year, which runs until the summer of 2029. Mokoena has not commented on the transfer links as yet, but many believe that the PSL champions are unlikely to allow him to move to one of their biggest rivals in the CAF Champions League.

Mamelodi Sundowns ‘considering’ Pitso Mosimane reunion

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With Bafana Bafana now out of the Africa Cup of Nations, Mamelodi Sundowns resumed training this week ahead of the resumption of the Betway PSL season, but there are still questions surrounding the future of head coach Miguel Cardoso. 

The Portuguese tactician has come under scrutiny this term due to his side's results. The perennial South African champions currently sit second in the league standings, two points behind Orlando Pirates, while having played a game more than the Soweto giants. 

Reports have indicated that Masandawana are considering a reunion with clubless Pitso Mosimane, who was responsible for leading the Brazilians to the CAF Champions League title in 2016, which was the last time the team was crowned African club champions. 

However, a possible return for Mosimane is overshadowed by an ongoing courtcase between him and the club, in which the PSL champions have requested that he repay compensation he received after leaving them to join Al Ahly in 2016.