Linda Moreotsene

Linda Moreotsene

Mamelodi Sundowns might be in a desperate need of new sponsor following the termination of their contract with MTN last week.

After being partners for the last three years, the cellphone company and Sundowns partnership came to an abrupt but "amicable" end on Friday with a statement announcing the severance of the contract.

Now, in view of the plans that club chairman Patrice Motsepe laid out, the question is: who will now come on board and possibly supercede the feats the club and cellphone service provider partnership has achieved?

At a news conference in Pretoria last month, Motsepe disclosed plans to bring five big-name players to the club next season.

Mahlatse Mphahlele, Downs' media and communications manager, denied that the club had any sponsors lined up, including a leading bank.

"We will have to go out there and look for a new partner who will take the club into the future, but at the moment there is no sponsor that we have identified to take over from MTN," Mphahlele said.

He did not say why - if Downs were aware that their contract with their sponsors was coming to an end - the club did not negotiate with other potential sponsors. But sources claim neither party saw the breakdown coming.

Also, the Sunday Times reported a week ago that in his mission to conquer Africa, Motsepe was targeting Al Ahly coach Jose Manuel as the Brazilians' next coach. Mphahlele declined to comment on that report too.