Johannesburg - Katlego Mphela's long-running dispute with Mamelodi Sundowns has been resolved - for now.
The striker had engaged in a bitter transfer wrangle with the club after they failed to accept a bid from Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade for his services.
Mphela protested against the decision by skipping training, but the player recently met with club president Patrice Motsepe and this has paved the way for the South African international to return to training.
Motsepe, meanwhile, affirmed his commitment to release Mphela at the end of the season, if he receives an acceptable offer.
"Football is a short career and we must all support Katlego to perform well for Sundowns and Bafana Bafana and also help him find a good and reputable club in Europe," Motsepe said on the club's official website.
Sundowns released the following statement that outlines the resolution of the saga.
It reads: 'Katlego Mphela met the President of Mamelodi Sundowns, Patrice Motsepe on Tuesday in a private meeting to discuss his return to the Club.
'Patrice Motsepe had stated at the press conference he held two weeks ago that discipline and respect for the Club and its rules are non-negotiable but if Katlego apologizes to Sundowns and appears before the Disciplinary Committee and commits himself to mending his relationship with the Club and the Mamelodi Sundowns Family; then Sundowns would allow him back.
'Katlego Mphela had asked Pitso Mosimane to request Patrice Motsepe to meet with him because as President of Sundowns he always meets with players if their problems remain unresolved, after having followed the internal procedure at Sundowns.
'Katlego apologised to the president, the Supporters, his team-mates and the Mamelodi Sundowns Family and reported for training on Wednesday 16 February 2011.
'Katlego Mphela will appear before the Club's Disciplinary Committee where his matter will be heard. He undertook to work hard and regain his form and fight for his place at Sundowns.
'The president re-stated the commitment of Mamelodi Sundowns to release Katlego at the end of the season if Sundowns receives a fair and reasonable offer.'
The striker had engaged in a bitter transfer wrangle with the club after they failed to accept a bid from Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade for his services.
Mphela protested against the decision by skipping training, but the player recently met with club president Patrice Motsepe and this has paved the way for the South African international to return to training.
Motsepe, meanwhile, affirmed his commitment to release Mphela at the end of the season, if he receives an acceptable offer.
"Football is a short career and we must all support Katlego to perform well for Sundowns and Bafana Bafana and also help him find a good and reputable club in Europe," Motsepe said on the club's official website.
Sundowns released the following statement that outlines the resolution of the saga.
It reads: 'Katlego Mphela met the President of Mamelodi Sundowns, Patrice Motsepe on Tuesday in a private meeting to discuss his return to the Club.
'Patrice Motsepe had stated at the press conference he held two weeks ago that discipline and respect for the Club and its rules are non-negotiable but if Katlego apologizes to Sundowns and appears before the Disciplinary Committee and commits himself to mending his relationship with the Club and the Mamelodi Sundowns Family; then Sundowns would allow him back.
'Katlego Mphela had asked Pitso Mosimane to request Patrice Motsepe to meet with him because as President of Sundowns he always meets with players if their problems remain unresolved, after having followed the internal procedure at Sundowns.
'Katlego apologised to the president, the Supporters, his team-mates and the Mamelodi Sundowns Family and reported for training on Wednesday 16 February 2011.
'Katlego Mphela will appear before the Club's Disciplinary Committee where his matter will be heard. He undertook to work hard and regain his form and fight for his place at Sundowns.
'The president re-stated the commitment of Mamelodi Sundowns to release Katlego at the end of the season if Sundowns receives a fair and reasonable offer.'