Massively experienced Ugandan goalkeeper Ismail Bin Abdul Rashid Watenga appears set to exit South African heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns FC, after talks of a contract extension seem to have reached a deadlock, The Nerve Africa sources have exclusively learned.
Watenga, whose contract with the former African champions is set to expire in June next year, has reportedly been left frustrated as the club has shown little urgency in initiating negotiations for a renewal.
The 29-year-old is currently on loan at another South African side, Golden Arrows FC. Notably, he has endured loan spells in each of his four seasons as a Mamelodi Sundowns player since joining them in 2020. His other loan stints have included time at Chippa United and Marumo Gallants in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
A source close to his representatives, Global Sports Agency, revealed that while Watenga will honor the remainder of his contract with professionalism, he remains frustrated by the club’s lack of initiative in discussing a renewal.
“Ismail (Watenga) is extremely grateful to be on Mamelodi Sundowns’ roster, as this is one of the biggest clubs in Africa. He’s a top professional, but it gets frustrating when the future is uncertain. There hasn’t been significant contact to discuss a renewal, so the frustration is quite understandable. But he’s also an optimist and hopes that perhaps discussions will eventually take place in the near future,” the source told The Nerve Africa in an exclusive interview.
This season at Golden Arrows, Watenga is yet to make a single appearance in either the Premier Soccer League or the Telkom Knockout Cup. Last season with the same team, he played 19 times across all competitions. In his previous loan spells with Marumo Gallants and Chippa United, he made five and 23 appearances, respectively.
Before signing with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2020, Watenga, whose Transfermarkt valuation is estimated at €300,000, played for Kenya’s Sofapaka FC, Ethiopia’s Buna FC, and six-time Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC.
Meanwhile, with the Uganda national team, the Cranes, Watenga, who debuted in 2014, has earned 26 competitive caps. He continues to be a key figure in Uganda’s 2025 Africa Cup qualification ambitions, having played four consecutive games for the team, achieving two clean sheets.
