AmaZulu and Cape Town City keen on Mamelodi Sundowns striker Thabiso Kutumela

Kutumela joined Sundowns in 2021 after finishing top goal scorer for Maritzburg United and making a few appearances for Bafana Bafana. 

But over time the forward has fallen down the pecking order at Chloorkop, featuring in only 11 games from all competitions last season while Peter Shalulile, Cassius Mailula and Abubaker Nasir were preferred ahead of him by coach Rulani Mokwena during yet another title winning campaign.

The public broadcaster has established that Downs are open to allowing Kutumela to leave either on loan or outright – and it’s understood AmaZulu are favourites, with City also willing to bring him on board. 

It’s not the first time Usuthu have shown an interest in the 30-year-old striker having first made an attempt to sign him prior to his move to Sundowns from their crosstown rivals Maritzburg United. 

However, City’s advantage is that Kutumela has previously worked with Eric Tinkler while he was coaching the Team of Choice and Orlando Pirates. 

Despite Mailula being sold to Major League Soccer outfit Toronto FC last month, Downs do still have enough firepower to keep Kutumela out of the picture after signing Brazilian attacker Lucas Costa. 

Kutumela’s last appearance was a 27-minute cameo against Usuthu towards the end of last season in May, and that is likely to have been his last.

The transfer window will close on 22 September, giving AmaZulu or City nearly two months to get the deal over the line.