Downs chase Hotto striker
Brazilians expected to sign Wits winger
The potential arrival of utility winger Deon Hotto at Mamelodi Sundowns from Bidvest Wits is likely to have a negative impact on a number of current squad members at the Brazilians.
Sundowns are expected to conclude Hotto’s deal in the next few weeks, according to sources at Chloorkop.
While fellow left-footers such as Lyle Lakay and Tebogo Langerman, among others, may have to dig deeper to retain their berths if Hotto’s transfer materialise, Ivorian defender Bangaly Soumahoro is likely to be released to clear foreign spot.
Hotto, a Namibian international, would be the sixth foreigner at Sundowns. Ali Meza (Venezuela), Ricardo Nascimento (Brazil), Mauricio Affonso and Gaston Sirino (both Uruguay) alongside Soumahoro are other non-locals, while Kenedy Mweene (Zambia), Denis Onyango (Uganda) and Antony Laffor (Liberia) hold SA permanent residency, hence registered as locals.
Having successfully converted Rivaldo Coetzee from central defence to the holding role in the middle of the park and Lakay from left-wing to fullback in recent years, it’s emerged coach Pitso Mosimane wants to do the same with Hotto, a natural leftwinger.
Word doing rounds is that Mosimane sees the 29-yearold as a perfect medium-term replacement for the ageing Langerman.
The 34-year-old “Langer” has been somewhat injuryprone of late, missing six of Downs’ 21 league matches this term.
Meanwhile, Bangaly, who’s likely to be an instant sacrificial lamb if Downs land Hotto, has not played a league outing since December 2018, with Nascimento, Motjeka Madisha and Mosa Lebusa preferred way ahead of him.
Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, Hotto’s representative Machini Motloung emphasised they hadn’t received any offers for the Namibian ace yet. “Not just from Sundowns, we have not received anything for Hotto.
“The boy is a contracted Wits player, so if people want him it’s Wits who must be approached first,” Motloung said.