‘The fire in me is fading’ – Sundowns forgotten star on career struggles

Mamelodi Sundowns winger Thapelo Maseko has posted about his recent struggles at his club.

The 21-year-old star has found it difficult to break into the Downs team since joining from SuperSport United two years ago.

He only played a total of 14 league matches in three years for Masandawana and scored just once. His future at the club remains in doubt after he was left out of Mamelodi Sundowns’ squad, which played in the FIFA Club World Cup.

“I don’t know when it started, but lately it’s like the fire in me is fading. I still train like my life depends on it, still push through every tired muscle, mental battle, but inside it feels empty,” Maseko posted on his Instagram page.

“The game that once lit up my soul is now different, heavier, and colder. It’s a strange kind of pain, giving everything you have but feeling unseen. You tell yourself to keep going, but each day chips away at you. Your confidence starts to crumble, your joy fades, and the person you used to be feels like a memory you can’t reach anymore.

Sundowns star Maseko on losing his hunger

“The hunger, the excitement, and the love for the grind have been slipping away piece by piece, now hope feels like something far off in the distance.

“I’m left wondering if I’ve ever get to that place again, this is what it’s like to lose your spark and the hardest part is still showing up every single day, hoping you’ll find it again,” the Sundowns winger said.

Maseko was not featured in Downs’ two matches this season and his exit looks more likely.