Mamelodi Sundowns boss Rulani Mokwena has addressed recent transfer speculation surrounding Peter Shalulile. The 33-year-old also responded to rumors surrounding his own future at the club.
Over the past few days, recent reports have claimed that Al Ahly are considering a move for in-form forward Peter Shalulile. Having worked with the Namibian during his stint as Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is believed to be the driving force behind such a move.
Infact, it was Pitso Mosimane who signed brought Shalulile to Sundowns from Highlands Park before he resigned as the club’s manager back in September 2020.
Following the departure of Mosimane, the 27-year-old forward has gone on to impress greatly for the club and has only missed three games across all competitions. Shalulile has equally been prolific in front of goal, scoring 15 goals alongside seven assists in 28 games for the club.
However, Sundowns boss Rulani has dismissed all speculation surrounding the forward, while categorically stating that the player is not for sale.
“Peter Shalulile, hogwash, absolute hogwash, he has a contract at Sundowns, people have to pay big money for Peter Shalulile, [he’s] not available,” Mokwena said adamantly before discussing speculation around his own future.
“Bafana Bafana, is a difficult one. Up North, Bafana, there’s a lot of speculation but I have a four-year contract here and my focus is only on Mamelodi Sundowns. At this moment I don’t pay attention to all of this.
“Fortunately I’m not the decision-maker because it’s going to be a very difficult process, our football needs a little bit of an uplift and it’s not easy to map out a direction and continuously give hope to people.
“We continuously come up with these visions, 2020, vision 2022, vision 2026 – eventually, people start losing hope and as leaders of South African football it’s important not to allow people to lose hope in us.
“There this appointment and the way they have to map up the direction for South African football is very important and fortunately, I’m not in the position with that responsibility because it’s an enormous responsibility.”
Rulani himself has been linked with a move to Wydad Casablanca but also went on to dismiss those rumors.
Asked about supposed interest from the Moroccan side, he responded: “No comment, I’m extremely happy at Mamelodi Sundowns, very happy at the club and I have a four-year contract, just like Peter Shalulile.”