Sundowns Academy Scandal Warning As Mark Mayambela Reveals How Parents Could Lose Money To Fake Scouts

Mamelodi Sundowns Under-17 coach Mark Mayambela has reportedly warned parents and aspiring young footballers about fraudsters allegedly using his name to demand money in exchange for academy opportunities at the club.

The warning has raised fresh concerns among families hoping to see their children pursue professional football, particularly because criminals have previously targeted young players by pretending to represent major South African clubs.

According to the latest report, individuals are allegedly using Mayambela’s identity and reputation to approach parents and promise them opportunities to secure places within the Mamelodi Sundowns academy.

The reported scam involves money being demanded in exchange for supposed academy placements, creating the risk that desperate families could lose significant amounts while receiving nothing in return.

Mayambela is now urging parents to remain extremely cautious and to verify any communication claiming to come from him or someone connected to the Sundowns academy.

The former Orlando Pirates winger has established himself in youth coaching after moving into development football. Sundowns brought Mayambela into their youth structures after his successful work with Cape Town City’s development teams. He holds a UEFA A coaching licence and has focused increasingly on developing young footballers.

The warning is particularly important because Sundowns has previously dealt with almost identical scams.

The club has repeatedly warned aspiring footballers and their parents about individuals pretending to be Sundowns scouts and offering trials or academy placements in exchange for payment.

In 2018, Sundowns issued an official warning stating that the club did not hold open trials and that anyone promising a trial for a fee was attempting to steal money. The club explained that its academy identifies players through scouting structures, national tournaments and leagues.

The club also warned in 2014 that bogus scouts were promising trials and academy placements in exchange for fees. Sundowns said it did not charge players for trials and urged members of the public to report anyone offering such services.

A similar warning was issued in 2024 after fake social-media posts advertised supposed Sundowns trials for young players. The club said messages advertising open trials, even when using its name or logo, should be treated as scams and reported to authorities.

The repeated incidents demonstrate why parents should never transfer money simply because someone claims to have connections at a professional football academy.

Families should verify information through the club’s official communication channels and be particularly suspicious of requests for upfront payments, personal banking details or promises of guaranteed selection.

For young footballers, joining a prestigious academy can be a life-changing opportunity. But scammers know how much families want that opportunity and can exploit their hopes.

Mayambela’s warning therefore serves as an important reminder: no genuine football dream should require parents to pay a stranger simply because they claim to have influence at Sundowns.

Source:

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