Gaston Sirino's Mamelodi Sundowns future hanging in the balance

The Uruguayan international has not featured for the Brazilians so far this season, and it was Mokwena who told Power FM recently that Sirino had given the impression there would be an offer for his services from a club abroad.

Pressed for more details on Thursday afternoon, the Downs mentor said it was up to the hierarchy to make a call on the next step.

"So, at the end of the day, what happens with regards to all players that then is the responsibility of the football club to give you more information in relation to that because at the end it starts and it ends with the football club. Everything that is done by myself like every other employee of Mamelodi Sundowns is done with the best interest of the football club," Mokwena said.

It’s not the first time Sirino has told Sundowns he has “intentions” to leave having come out publicly in November 2020 after he was linked with previous coach Pitso Mosimane, who had joined Al Ahly.

Mokwena would not repeat his initial comments, but he has made it clear the player’s behaviour is disruptive.

"I've given you my opinion on the matter and also informed you of what has happened. The matter is now with the football club and has gone into that space and I think once there are further communications, I'm sure the football club will let you in on that," Mokwena added.

Mokwena, whose side face Kaizer Chiefs in the first leg of the MTN8 semifinals on Saturday at FNB Stadium, feels he’s been honest enough about the Sirino subject.

Sirino, as things stand, is contracted to Sundowns until June 2025 after the club triggered the option on the agreement signed three years ago while Mosimane was still the head coach at Chloorkop. During the press conference, Mokwena preferred to keep the latest developments to himself. 

"It's important that I don't mislead but even with that responsibility, I've got also a heavy burden of [number] 1, protecting the football club and number 2, protecting football players. 

Then it becomes a bit difficult to try to balance the two whilst still also giving my opinion and my opinion is only but an opinion. It could be an important opinion because of the position but it is still just an opinion of an employee of the football club."