Neo Maema clarifies Simba status: I’m still a Sundowns player

In August, Sundowns announced that Maema was leaving the club, a statement that suggested a permanent departure – and he was later unveiled by the Tanzanian giants, reinforcing the perception that his time at Chloorkop had come to an end.

Speaking on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube about his future Maema insisted that the move was in fact a loan deal.

"Well, I haven't spoken to the club directly about any other team, I only heard from my agent that there is a club that's very interested. A lot of people aren't aware, but for me to come to Tanzania was very difficult because I had to negotiate with the club. People don't know that I'm actually on loan, I still have to go back and hear what they have to say," explained Maema.

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Maema said he wasn’t aware whether Sundowns were monitoring his game time while at Simba this season.

"I'm on loan and I don't know why it wasn't disclosed. I think after this I have two options - Simba are either going to trigger or maybe we part ways. For now, I don't have an exact answer."

Meanwhile, Maema also confirmed that the Bafana Bafana CHAN squad he was part of in August last year are still waiting for payment from SAFA.

"I haven;'t received it, which as a captain is so sad because every guy is on me asking, what's happening?  As the captain I can testify that they have not paid."

Maema went on to say all they’ve received are empty promises.