Mamelodi Sundowns spring a surprise by signing Lesiba Nku from Marumo Gallants but can he be a hit at Chloorkop? By Mazola Molefe.

It was believed nimble-footed naturally been raised about Nku and midfielder Junior Mendieta would be confirmed as the first signing at Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of the 2023/24 season following his much- talked-about transfer.

But the Stellenbosch FC talisman was still holed up far away in his native South America when The Brazilians announced winger Lesiba Nku instead, the dreadlocked utility player having been unexpectedly recruited from Marumo Gallants.

Considering that Bahlabane Ba Ntwa were relegated from the DStv Premiership in May, eyebrows have naturally been raised about Nku and indeed over whether this is a luxury signing for Sundowns or one they genuinely needed.

“I don’t know,” says a man who worked with the player for six months before Gallants met their demise from the elite league.

Dylan Kerr was hired to consult – and effectively coach – the club at the beginning of 2023, but owing to not having a work permit, he spent that entire stint shouting instructions from the stands.

It was Raymond Mdaka who assumed the official role of head coach after Dan Malesela was put on “special leave”. “But if Sundowns use him in the right position, with the ability he’s got …I think he would be a good addition. The million-dollar question with the Sundowns squad is that you never know where people are going to fit it when they sign. Most of them drift into the background,” Kerr explains.

“Are they signing him to be a regular, a squad player or simply because he had a good season at Marumo? I am not the one to ask. But Lesiba can play right- or left of midfield; he can play left- or right wing back. He is in with everybody else at Sundowns who is fighting for that starting jersey or maybe a position on the bench.

“Some players go there and don’t make an impact. But Sundowns have done their homework and feel that Lesiba could be a good signing for the club.”

Nku is now 27, but has only ever played for two clubs in the Premier Soccer League, the other being Polokwane City before he joined Gallants. Is he a late bloomer?

“He is in his peak now,” argues Kerr. “Some players are like that; they drift around and then they find the right club. I don’t know if he was playing regularly under Dan Malesela. But for me, he added something – you could get a goal or create a goal out of him. He gave something to the team that was different. A good delivery from set pieces, a great left foot and his character and attitude was excellent for me.”

What stands out about Nku is the shift he put in at Gallants despite the club being relegated earlier this year.

The midfielder managed a total of 31 matches, five goals and three assists in a campaign where Gallants reached the semifinals of the African Confederation Cup, perhaps the performance that piqued Downs’ interest.

“Look, he is confident and has got good energy – those are always two things you need in a footballer, for a start. I think he’s got a lot of ability in himself, and he still has a lot to find. He played with some distractions at Gallants, but with confident players around him, he could be a regular at Sundowns,” says Kerr.