In what could be described as a well-kept secret, Ethiopian striker Abubeker Nasir has joined SuperSport United from their cross-town rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.
Nasir returned to Chloorkop during the pre-season after previous head coach Rulani Mokwena, in his last days at the club in June, confirmed he was no longer a Sundowns player.
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The 24-year-old was therefore thought to have parted company with the Tshwane giants, only for his picture in pre-season training at Sundowns making the rounds on social media, much to the shock of man.
Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has confirmed that the player has left the Brazilians to join Matsatsantsa, although did not elaborate whether that was a loan or permanent move.
In all likelihood, with the investment the seven-time consecutive league champions have made on Nasir, it is a loan deal, in order to help him get as much game-time as possible before reintegrating him back into the set-up, be it in the second half of the season or next term.
Mngqithi had previously spoken about the club's efforts to ship the highly-rated player out on loan now that he had recovered from his long-term injury.
"Sometimes it surprises me when journalists don't know the news. I get worried. Nasir is not at Sundowns, he is at SuperSport. I thought you should know that," said the sharp-shooting Mngqithi, responding to a KickOff query.
He was speaking at the post-match press conference after the 4-1 victory over Marumo Gallants on Tuesday.
Nasir joined the club in 2022 after being spotted in his home country, where he was on the books of Ethiopian Coffee.
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The attacker's stay at the Tshwane giants has been hugely disturbed by injury after colliding with Siyabonga Mpontshane, back then a goalkeeper for Orlando Pirates.
As a result, he has made just 12 appearances, only scoring two goals throughout the course of his tenure.
Sundowns have since also loaned out midfielder Sipho Mbule to Sekhukhune United.