Downs leave Mphela behind

Mamelodi Sundowns will be jetting off to Zambia this morning without striker Katlego Mphela.

The Brazilians are set to participate in a four-team tournament organised by Zambian sides - Power Dynamos and Zesco United - starting tomorrow.

But coach Pitso Mosimane's team will have to do so without their prime striker who, this week, signed a three-year deal with rivals Kaizer Chiefs.

The move is understood to have left Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe unhappy.

Though they were initially reluctant to let go of the striker, the Brazilians have since acceded to Amakhosi's request and are willing to release Mphela before the end of his contract in June.

"They are willing to let go of Mphela but at at fee," a source close to the matter said.

"The club didn't want to strengthen the enemy camp by letting go of Mphela at the moment - not when they would be challenging for the league title against Chiefs," the source said.

"The decision to leave him behind clearly reflects the president's feeling about the whole matter. Mphela has been training hard lately, looking to regain his place in the team.

"Though he will be leaving, he loves this team and would want to see it succeed."

Mphela would not comment on whether he could debut for Chiefs against his current club when the two sides met in a league match on January 23.

"I'm not the right person to speak to about that. The right people would be my manager and the club," Mphela said.

"The decision to leave was thought through. But I'll be able to talk more when the time is right."

Chiefs were hoping to register Mphela for the CAF Champions League as they go about their preparations for the continental competition.