Melengu released by 'Downs

Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has released Mukuka Mulenga to the Zambia U23 national team currently preparing for the 2016 Rio Olympics qualifiers.

Mulenga has been training with the Brazilians in pre-season, but was omitted from the travelling party for the trip to his native Zambia for a five-day training camp.

"Mukuka has been with us the whole week but we have just released him for the Under-23 national team," Mosimane told SuperSport.

"I think it is better for him to help his country qualify for the Olympics than to play a friendly game."

The Zambia U23's are set take on Ivory Coast in an Olympic qualifier crunch match in the CAF Under23 Cup final round on July 19 in Lusaka.

Mosimane also revealed that Zambian defender Hichani Himonde would leave the club, while fellow countryman Kennedy Mweene would stay.