Did Mamelodi Sundowns Really Need Another Right Back?

… or are they just adding to their already deep squad?

There is no denying that Sundowns have a concern at right-back. On that point, their purchase makes sense. But when the name Thabang Matuludi enters the conversation, the bigger question is whether Sundowns needed him or (in my opinion) whether they simply could not allow another top South African club to have him. And probably, the answer is both! Because, why not?

Matuludi has attracted serious interest, several other clubs understood to have shown interest in the highly-rated right-back. His performances have made him one of the players attracting plenty of attention in the game.

If the club genuinely identified right-back as an area that needed strengthening, then signing one of the country’s most promising players makes perfect sense. Sundowns have the resources, ambition and squad depth to bring in top talent. And should the shoe fit, this can be an excellent move for further developing one of the country’s best players, allowing him the perfect environment to become the best possible athlete. AND that is what we as fans want, seeing football talent excel where not even the sky is the limit.

But there is another side to the argument.

Sundowns already have an extraordinary collection of talent. Year after year, they continue to attract some of the best players in the Premier Soccer League, often before their rivals can get their hands on them.

So, as a football fan, you have to ask: is this about filling a position of need, or is it also about preventing their competitors from strengthening?

Because for clubs with smaller budgets and less options on the menu, losing out on a player such as Matuludi is about more than missing one signing. It potentially means watching another quality player join an already dominant Sundowns squad.

That is the reality of competing with Sundowns.

For Matuludi himself, however, this could be a massive opportunity. A move to Chloorkop puts him in an environment where expectations are incredibly high and where competition for a starting place is fierce. It could accelerate his development, but we all know that also means it could make regular game time harder to come by.

Either way, one thing is clear: Mamelodi Sundowns have the financial backing to build the perfect squad, and in essence, isn’t that what we as South Africans want? Better football overall and in the end being champions of Africa once again…