Sipho Mbule and Rivaldo Coetzee have been deemed surplus to requirements by the reigning Premier Soccer League champions, Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Brazilians have decided not to exercise their option to keep the players.

Sundowns had until the end of May to decide whether to retain their services.

“What I can tell you is that there were a number of players that we represent who Sundowns had options on, and the majority of those have been exercised,” said Mike Makaab of ProSport International, who represents Mbule and Coetzee.

“However, the players who have not been exercised are Rivaldo Coetzee and Sipho Mbule. As of the first of June, both players are free to join a club of their choice,” he explained to Gagasi FM.

With their contracts running out on 30 June 2025, the option was to renew for a further year.

Sundowns’s decision to let them walk comes as no surprise despite their immense talents.

Mbule’s off-the-field issues are well documented.

The 27-year-old was on loan this season at Sekhukhune United and was reportedly let go by Babina Noko, who grew tired of his erratic behaviour. It’s alleged that he’s arrived at training “under the influence of alcohol,” and over the years, there have been similar reports.

Mbule played 51 matches for Sundowns since arriving at Chloorkop from neighbours SuperSport United in June 2022, which means he played an average of 17 games a season, and for a club that plays about 50 games every season, Mbule’s contribution is nothing to write home about.

Coetzee, meanwhile, played 133 games following his move from Ajax Cape Town in 2017.

Christened ‘The System’ by the Masandawana 12th man, Coetzee could be on top of his game this month and injured the next, owing to his injury troubles.

The 28-year-old averaged 16 matches per season.