Deano Van Rooyen Future In Doubt At Sundowns As Defender Continues To Wait For His Chance

Deano van Rooyen's future at Mamelodi Sundowns has come under the spotlight after the experienced defender continued to struggle for regular playing time following his move to Chloorkop.

The former Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC defender joined Sundowns as a free agent in September 2026, with the move initially viewed as an important addition to the club's options at right-back.

However, Van Rooyen is still waiting for his competitive debut for the Brazilians, raising questions about whether his move has delivered the opportunity he expected.

The 29-year-old left Orlando Pirates after struggling to secure regular first-team football under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. His decision to move to Sundowns was therefore seen as an opportunity to restart his career and compete for a place in one of South Africa's strongest squads.

Instead, the defender has found himself facing another difficult battle for minutes.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has, however, offered an explanation for Van Rooyen's situation and insisted that the player is not simply being ignored by the technical team.

According to Cardoso, Van Rooyen arrived at Chloorkop having experienced a significant interruption in his preparation. The Portuguese coach explained that Sundowns do not want to expose players to competitive football before they are physically and mentally ready to perform.

Thabang Matuludi has adapted quickly since joining Sundowns, while Thapelo Morena has also been used in the position. Zuko Mdunyelwa remains another option when fit, while long-term injured Khuliso Mudau is expected to return eventually.

The competition means Van Rooyen faces a difficult task to break into the matchday squad.

“Obviously, as you can imagine, the competition for the position is quite high,” Cardoso explained, adding that Matuludi had settled more quickly than expected.

There is nevertheless some encouragement for Van Rooyen.

Cardoso recently confirmed that the defender had featured in a friendly match and said the technical team was happy with his progress. That suggests his situation could change once the coaching staff believes he has reached the required level.

For now, however, the defender's lack of competitive football is likely to remain a talking point among Sundowns supporters.

Van Rooyen arrived with considerable experience. He spent eight years at Stellenbosch before joining Orlando Pirates in 2024, making 51 appearances for the Buccaneers and winning several trophies during his time in Soweto. Sundowns recruited him partly because of the need for additional depth at right-back following injuries to Mudau and Mdunyelwa.

Whether he eventually establishes himself at Chloorkop remains to be seen.

At this stage, there is no confirmed indication that Sundowns are preparing to release or sell Van Rooyen. The immediate challenge is simply for the defender to remain patient, maintain his fitness and take advantage when Cardoso finally gives him his competitive opportunity.

Source:

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