Thapelo Maseko has agreed a three-year contract with FC Copenhagen and is now officially set to leave Mamelodi Sundowns for Denmark, bringing an end to his two-year spell at Chloorkop.
The 22-year-old Bafana Bafana winger has agreed personal terms with the Danish club after Sundowns reached a transfer agreement with Copenhagen earlier this week.
Maseko is expected to travel to Denmark for his medical by the weekend. Once he passes the medical and the final paperwork is completed, the transfer will be formally concluded.
The move represents a fresh start for Maseko after a challenging period at Sundowns, despite the winger recently enjoying one of the biggest breakthroughs of his career on the international stage.
From World Cup hero to Sundowns departure
Maseko played a key role in Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, helping South Africa reach the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in the country’s history.
He was particularly influential in the group stages, scoring the winning goal against South Korea as Bafana secured a historic victory.
His performances for South Africa came at a time when his club future was already uncertain.
Despite his World Cup success, Maseko was surprisingly left out of Sundowns’ pre-season tour of Austria last month.
The winger had made it clear that he wanted a new challenge, with Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso confirming that Maseko had expressed his desire to leave the club.
A difficult spell at Sundowns
Maseko joined Sundowns from SuperSport United in July 2023 following a breakthrough season with Matsatsantsa.
However, opportunities became increasingly limited at the Brazilians, and the attacker eventually fell out of favour.
He spent the final six months of last season on loan at AEL Limassol in Cyprus, where regular football helped him rediscover his form.
His performances in Cyprus contributed to his return to the Bafana Bafana setup and ultimately helped him secure his place in South Africa’s World Cup squad.
However, Maseko was reportedly unwilling to return to Cyprus following payment issues that affected the latter part of his loan spell.
A new opportunity in Denmark
Copenhagen’s decision to sign Maseko permanently now gives the young winger an opportunity to continue his development in European football.
The Danish club has ambitions on the continental stage, offering Maseko the chance to compete for trophies and potentially play European competition.
The move also sees him follow in the footsteps of Sibusiso Zuma, one of South Africa’s most successful footballers in Denmark.
Zuma joined Copenhagen in 2000 and went on to make 188 appearances, scoring 53 goals for the club.
For Maseko, the Copenhagen move marks the beginning of a new chapter after a turbulent spell at Sundowns.
From struggling for regular opportunities at club level to becoming a World Cup goalscorer for Bafana Bafana, the winger now has the opportunity to establish himself in Europe and build on the momentum he gained on football’s biggest stage.
