Mamelodi Sundowns

Reyaad Pieterse of Mamelodi Sundowns FC saves a shot at goal during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 game between AmaZulu and Mamelodi Sundowns at King Zwelentini Stadium on 15 September 2018 © Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper advised to leave for the sake of career

Reyaad Pieterse is gaining nothing by staying at Mamelodi Sundowns where he is, at best, the third-choice goalkeeper.

Mamelodi Sundowns

Reyaad Pieterse of Mamelodi Sundowns FC saves a shot at goal during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 game between AmaZulu and Mamelodi Sundowns at King Zwelentini Stadium on 15 September 2018 © Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

Erstwhile Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper John Tlale has urged fellow gloveman Reyaad Pieterse to leave the club to save his career.

Tlale believes that Pieterse is gaining nothing by staying at a club where he is, at best, the third-choice goalkeeper despite having been capped at international level.

Mamelodi Sundowns
BENONI, SOUTH AFRICA – 11 June 2005, John Tlale during the Mvela Platinum play off match between Hellenic and Manning Rangers at the Sinaba Stadium in Benoni, South Africa. Photo Credit : © Gallo Images

Reyaad Pieterse wasting away at Mamelodi Sundowns

Confidence is a key attribute for any goalkeeper and Tlale doesn’t feel that Pieterse will have much left after playing just six matches for Sundowns since joining the club in 2018.

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Reyaad Pieterse of Mamelodi Sundowns during the MTN8 2019 Mamelodi Sundowns Media Day at the Chloorkop, Chloorkop on the 16 August 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

“You know what I can say to him is he must go to play for a smaller team,” Tlale told KickOff.com.

“His experience gained signing for the big teams shows that he’s got potential. So he must just go where he will play regularly for him to gain confidence, where he will make a name for himself, because he’s been on the bench for quite some time now and it’s going to frustrate him you understand.

“Percy Tau went to Witbank Spurs, there he played regularly, then he came back to Sundowns and was a regular. Staying at Sundowns and sometimes you are not even in the 18 [squad] for more than two years, it also kills his reputation you understand.”

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Denis Onyango of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 1st leg of the MTN8 Semi Final between Chippa United and Mamelodi Sundowns held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa on the 11th September 2016 Photo by: Richard Huggard / Real Time Images

Veteran Uganda goalkeeper Denis Onyango remains an ever-present figure for Mamelodi Sundowns in goal, with neither Pieterse nor new signing Ricardo Goss getting a look-in this term when it comes to Premiership appearances. Goss got the nod ahead of Pieterse to start Sundowns Nedbank Cup Round of 32 match against Stellenbosch FC.

Pieterse is yet to be included in a Mamelodi Sundowns DStv Premiership matchday squad this season and could benefit from a loan move or permanent switch of club.

Bidvest Wits’ goalkeeper Ricardo Goss celebrates his team goal during the Nedbank Cup Last 32 football match between Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on February 9, 2020. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP) (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images)