Mamelodi Sundowns winger Lesiba Nku has reportedly arrived at Stellenbosch FC as he prepares for a January transfer to the Winelands-based club. The 28-year-old has struggled for game time at Sundowns under new head coach Miguel Cardoso and is now set to make the move to Stellenbosch, where he is expected to find more opportunities to play regularly. Nku’s transfer to Stellenbosch is part of a larger reshuffling at Sundowns, with the club looking to bring in new faces for the second half of the season, while Stellies will add an experienced player to their ranks as they look to strengthen their squad.
Nku, who was once considered a promising talent at Sundowns, has fallen down the pecking order in recent months. Despite his ability and experience, the winger has found himself relegated to a more peripheral role, making only a handful of appearances this season. With the arrival of new coach Cardoso, the competition for places at Sundowns has intensified, and Nku has not been able to secure a regular spot in the starting XI. As a result, he was placed on the transfer list as Sundowns looked to overhaul their squad during the January window, bringing in fresh talent and new signings to strengthen various positions.
For Nku, a move to Stellenbosch represents a chance to reignite his career and gain more playing time. At 28, the former Free State Stars player is entering a crucial stage in his career, and he will be eager to showcase his skills in a more prominent role at Stellies. Under coach Steve Barker, Stellenbosch FC has been steadily improving and has become a team that can challenge for higher positions in the league. The club’s focus on developing a competitive squad for the future makes Nku’s addition an exciting prospect, and the move could prove to be mutually beneficial.
While the move seems like a fresh start for Nku, it also comes amid major changes at Sundowns, who are looking to improve their depth and bring in new players who can contribute immediately. One of the major moves that Sundowns are making is the acquisition of Jayden Adams, a highly-rated midfielder who has been in outstanding form for Stellenbosch. Adams’ expected transfer to Sundowns will be a significant one, with the PSL champions seeking to bolster their midfield options ahead of the second half of the season. The swap of Nku for Adams is indicative of the shifting priorities at both clubs as they navigate the January transfer window.
Local football fans have been vocal on social media regarding Nku’s move, with reactions being mixed. Some have praised the winger for making a sensible decision to move to Stellenbosch in search of more regular first-team action. These fans feel that Nku will be able to show his true potential at a club where he will have more freedom to express himself on the pitch. Others, however, have questioned whether Nku ever had the quality to play regularly at Sundowns, with some arguing that he may not have been good enough to secure a place in the star-studded squad. They point to his lack of impact in big matches and his inability to break into the starting lineup as reasons why Sundowns were willing to let him go.
For Nku, the opportunity at Stellenbosch could be a stepping stone to revitalizing his career. His potential to be a key figure in a competitive PSL squad remains, but he will need to prove himself at Stellenbosch and make the most of the opportunities provided to him. It also presents a chance for him to gain the confidence and match fitness that he may have lacked while sitting on the sidelines at Sundowns.
At the same time, Sundowns’ decision to allow Nku to leave reflects their desire to bring in new talent, and it aligns with Cardoso’s vision of building a squad that can compete for both domestic and continental honors. Sundowns are in the process of making their own moves in the transfer market, and with Adams set to join the club, their midfield is about to receive a significant boost. The addition of Adams will give Sundowns more options and add creativity and dynamism to their already potent squad, which could help them in their quest for more silverware this season.
As both clubs look to strengthen their squads, Nku’s move to Stellenbosch and Adams’ anticipated arrival at Sundowns are just the beginning of what is shaping up to be an exciting transfer window in South African football. For Nku, it marks a new chapter in his career, and for Sundowns, it signals the start of their squad reshaping as they continue to assert dominance both in the PSL and on the continental stage.
