The writing is on the wall for Mamelodi Sundowns players who were not considered by head coach Miguel Cardoso against minnows Sibanye Golden Stars in the Nedbank Cup Last 32.
Cardoso made it clear in his press conference that he prefers to work with a compact squad of around 24 players, with a number of players understood to be currently in negotiations for loan deals or termination of contracts.
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Not making the squad against a third-tier team should be an indication enough that you're not in the plans of a coach, and Cardoso made 10 changes in his starting line-up against the mining amateurs.
Thembinkosi Lorch
Lorch, already linked with an exit, is leading a list of players not in the plans of the head coach, as he did not make the squad for three consecutive matches since he featured for the last three minutes against Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League at the beginning of January.
Lesiba Nku
Nku was expected to join Stellenbosch FC after the Tshwane giants confirmed the signing of Jayden Adams from Stellies, but the deal has not gone through yet, after the Western Cape outfit secured Thato Khiba instead from TS Galaxy. The 28-year-old winger is yet to feature this season.
Lebohang Maboe
Maboe has found himself on ice in the bench at Chloorkop under Cardoso and last featured for the last 15 minutes in a 2-0 win over Richards Bay FC on 28 December last year.
Erwin Saavedra
The Bolivian has appeared only three times in the Yellow shirt this season and could be de-registered with the PSL to open up a foreign space, as the defending champions are expected to make two foreign acquisitions.
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Rushine De Reuck
The forgotten man is understood to be closing in on a move to Israel, after his opportunities were limited even before the arrival of Cardoso, who has not changed the pecking order in defence.
*Players mentioned above were not in the official suspension or injury list of Sundowns, as per the club's regular updates before matches.