The 34-year-old has not been included in the Brazilians squad that departed for Algeria ahead of their Caf Champions League Group B opener against ES Setif on Saturday, reports KickOff.

During the past season, Mashego was reduced to being a fringe player after only appearing 12 times for Sundowns.

The 51-year-old coach insisted that Mashego will be free to join a new club when his contract expires at the end of the month.

‘Mashego was registered [for Caf] – you saw him playing – but his contract is ending, and he has the right not to continue,’ said Mosimane.

‘He feels that maybe at this point in time he should be looking for another team because we have made him aware that we are not going to renew his contract for next year.

‘In his own discretion, he’s decided that this is the time he should look ahead to his future [rather] than to be concentrating on the last 15 days [of his contract].

Mashed joined Sundowns in 2013.

Saturday’s Champions League match kicks off at 23:15.