Shalulile recommits to Mamelodi Sundowns after record-breaking milestone

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile has pledged his commitment to the club after a much-discussed move away failed to materialise, insisting he is ready to fight for his place in the team.

The Brazilians endured a challenging transfer window, marked by several departures and uncertainty around key players’ futures. For coach Miguel Cardoso, having his star striker available again comes as a major boost as Sundowns chase domestic dominance and an elusive second CAF Champions League title.

The club has made significant changes to the squad, letting go of some players while welcoming new faces, including former Stellenbosch FC defender Fawaaz Basadien.

Shalulile was one of the most talked-about players of the window, with strong rumours linking him to a move to North Africa. At 31, and with his starting role no longer guaranteed under Cardoso, speculation was rife that his future lay elsewhere. 

That uncertainty also put a historic milestone in jeopardy as he was just two goals shy of surpassing Siyabonga Nomvethe’s long-standing record of 129 PSL goals. 

Despite limited minutes for much of last season, the Namibian striker made the most of his opportunities this term. After scoring against Magesi FC, he equalled the record and then broke it with a decisive penalty in a 1-0 win over Stellies.

Not only did his strike secure a crucial three points for Sundowns, but it also cemented his place in PSL history, bringing his total goals to 130 heading into the international break. 

Speaking about his decision to stay, Shalulile confirmed he had closed the door on a potential move and is now fully focused on contributing to the Chloorkop-based outfit, determined to fight for his place amid strong competition from Iqraam Rayners.

“For now I won’t lie, I am back,” Shalulile said. “Things didn’t go well, we were discussing and negotiating, but I decided to call the chairman and I told him to rather let me come back, give out my experience, and fight for my position.”

The Namibian forward expressed gratitude after surpassing Nomvethe’s record but made it clear that he is far from done.

“I would like to thank my teammates, the coaches, and everyone who played a part in all the success I have achieved. It’s a great feeling, but we strive for more goals, and we pray that there are many more to come.”

Renowned for his relentless work ethic, Shalulile also highlighted the importance of hard work and extra effort in maintaining his sharpness and longevity at the top level.

“I believe that you cannot score goals if you do not put in extra time. You cannot break the records if you’re not putting in the work. You also cannot dream of something and not put in the work.

“For me, on my off days I make sure I come and do my best and fix things that I know are weaknesses for me," he said. "I want to get into the positive side, and also to ensure that when I get the opportunity in such situations, I am able to bury them,”