Sundowns face Gomolemo Kekana contract dilemma after rejected offer

Mamelodi Sundowns are facing a contract dilemma after Gomolemo Kekana’s representatives rejected the club’s latest offer. The 20-year-old midfielder has made three senior appearances in all competitions, including one Betway Premiership match this season.

Kekana’s current agreement is approaching its expiry, leaving Sundowns at risk of losing him without a transfer fee if the negotiations fail. His agent, Basia Michaels of QT Sports, has indicated that the proposed terms must improve for the player to commit to a new long-term contract.

The disagreement is understood to concern the financial package rather than Kekana’s desire to remain at Chloorkop. The midfielder’s camp believes staying with Sundowns is the preferred option, provided the club revises its proposal.

Sundowns promoted Kekana to the senior setup after his performances at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. He was later included in South Africa’s squad for last year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile, adding to interest in his development.

The club had chosen to bring him into the first team despite reported attention from Europe. He has since received limited senior opportunities, with his three appearances coming across all competitions.

The negotiations add to Sundowns’ challenge of keeping promising young players while protecting the value of their academy and emerging talent. The club allowed Cassius Mailula to join Toronto FC three years ago and recently made Thapelo Maseko’s move to FC Copenhagen permanent. Young defender Thato Sibiya has also agreed to join French Ligue 1 club Lille on loan.

Kekana’s position differs from that of Kutlwano Letlhaku, who was also reported to have turned down a new deal amid claims of a R30-million offer from Portugal. In Kekana’s case, the immediate issue is whether Sundowns can improve the terms enough to retain a player who remains open to staying.