Pirates and Sundowns Submit Offers for Matuludi

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have both submitted offers for Polokwane City right-back Thabang Matuludi, with Kaizer Chiefs now seemingly out of the running for the 27-year-old Bafana Bafana defender. The ball is now firmly in the court of Polokwane City chairman Johnny Mogaladi, who is weighing up which proposal suits the club and the player best.

Pirates and Sundowns Battle for Matuludi

Reports indicate Mogaladi has effectively green-lit Matuludi's departure. An insider close to the situation was quoted as saying the chairman wants space to choose the right offer for both the player and the club, and that a sale is expected. That kind of language from within a club usually means the deal gets done — the only question is who he ends up at.

Contract Expiry Creates Selling Pressure

Matuludi's contract situation adds urgency. With reportedly just one year left on his deal, Polokwane City face the classic dilemma: cash in now or risk losing him for nothing. At a valuation of just under R23 million according to Transfermarkt, Rise and Shine will want to move quickly. It is a situation the PSL knows well — clubs hold the cards until they suddenly don't.

Chiefs Drop Out of Running

Chiefs were initially identified as the frontrunners, but those reports appear to have either been premature or the Soweto giants changed course. Head coach Fernando Da Cruz has since confirmed Amakhosi are targeting attackers — a striker, wingers and an attacking midfielder — which suggests the club's priorities have shifted for this window.

Pirates head into the new Betway Premiership campaign with momentum, having dominated the PSL Awards after the 2025/26 season. Adding a quality right-back of Matuludi's calibre would signal serious intent. Sundowns, as always, will simply not want a direct rival to strengthen. Mogaladi's decision is the only thing standing between Matuludi and one of South African football's biggest stages.