What a blow. Kegan Johannes was all set to leave Mamelodi Sundowns to join Siwelele FC on loan.
The 24-year-old from Bishop Lavis, Cape Town, trained with Siwelele and was announced as a new signing, but his parent club pulled the plug at the final hour before the transfer window closed.
Sundowns’ coach Miguel Cardoso reportedly told the player he was not in his plans before the move to Siwelele was facilitated.
KEGAN JOHANNES RETURNS TO MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
According to leading FARPost reporter Mthokozisi Dube, Sundowns cancelled the deal, leaving Johannes to return to Kabo Yellow, where he played only six times last season.
A source told Dube that Johannes is distraught at the prospect of returning to Tshwane, where he is expecting to be consistently excluded from matchday squads. “It’s heartbreaking; you can see he’s not been himself in the last couple of weeks,” the source said.
Long before the breakthrough move to Sundowns, Johannes was one of the most exciting teenage stars in Mzansi. At 17, he made his professional debut at Ajax Cape Town. He played over 50 games in the Motsepe Foundation Championship before Ajax was renamed Cape Town Spurs.
Johannes, who plays his football as a central defender or right back, signed for SuperSport United in 2019. After 58 games with four goals and one assist at Matsatsantsa, Johannes made a dream move to Sundowns in 2022.
Sadly, he suffered a serious leg injury that kept him out for six to eight months. By the time he returned late last season, the Portuguese coach Cardoso had taken charge, long after the departure of Rulani Mokwena, the coach who had signed Johannes from SuperSport.
MIGUEL CARDOSO’S CURRENT OPTIONS IN CENTRAL DEFENCE
- Keano Cupido, 27
- Malibongwe Khoza, 21
- Mothobi Mvala, 31
- Grant Kekana, 32
- Mosa Lebusa, 32
- Kegan Johannes, 24.
For now, it remains to be seen whether Johannes will force himself into the team or depart in January.
Meanwhile, two Kaizer Chiefs players have joined Siwelele FC on loan.