Former Sundowns striker Abubeker Nasir returns to Ethiopia’s Mechal SC

Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Abubeker Nasir has returned to Ethiopia after joining Ethiopian Premier League club Mechal SC on a two-year contract. The move follows Sundowns’ decision not to renew his deal, which expired in June.

Nasir joined Sundowns in 2022 as a highly regarded young forward and made an immediate impression in South Africa. He scored three times in his first four appearances, including a goal against Kaizer Chiefs early in the 2022-23 season.

His progress was later disrupted by a serious injury suffered during Sundowns’ meeting with Orlando Pirates in that campaign. The injury was described as career-ending, although the 26-year-old has now resumed his career in Ethiopia.

Nasir spent one season with Sundowns before moving on loan to SuperSport United and then AmaTuks. Neither spell developed into a sustained run with the Pretoria club, while long-term fitness problems limited his opportunities in the Premier Soccer League.

He leaves South Africa after making 18 top-flight appearances and scoring four goals. Sundowns also added several foreign internationals during his time at the club, with Nasir’s place on the squad counting towards one of the club’s foreign-player positions.

The return to Ethiopia takes Nasir back to the league where he built his reputation before moving to South Africa. At Mechal SC, he will begin a new two-year contract after the end of his Sundowns tenure.