Neo Maema talks about his exit from Mamelodi Sundowns | OneFootball

Maema talks about the reasons behind his departure from Mamelodi Sundowns

Neo Maema talks about his exit from Mamelodi Sundowns

Following his high-profile transfer to Tanzanian powerhouses Simba SC, former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema has opened up with refreshing honesty about his four-year tenure at the Chloorkop-based club.

The move to Simba comes on the heels of Maema's significant personal achievement of captaining the South African national team, Bafana Bafana, during the 2025 CHAN tournament. Although his individual performances were a bright spot, his leadership wasn't enough to prevent the team's group-stage exit in the competition, which was jointly hosted by East African nations Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

His time with Masandawana, however, was nothing short of spectacularly successful. The 29-year-old playmaker departs South Africa as a decorated winner, having secured an impressive haul of four league titles, a Nedbank Cup, an MTN8 trophy, and the prestigious CAF African Football League (AFL) title. Maema's contribution is etched into the club's history across 120 appearances, where he found the net 13 times.

In a candid reflection on his recent transfer, Neo Maema revealed that his decision to depart was rooted in deep respect for his former club rather than a desire to escape. Speaking with his new team's official channel, the midfielder explained, "My motivation wasn't a simple wish to leave. The overwhelming factor was my profound respect for Mamelodi Sundowns as an institution."

He elaborated on this sense of gratitude, noting, "The club provided me with incredible opportunities throughout my time there. This move represents something different - a conscious choice for change. I recognized that my career required a new setting, as my previous situation had clearly reached its natural conclusion."

Maema further expanded on his reasoning, sharing, "This transition to Simba specifically offered the perfect chance for renewal. I've always aspired to experience football beyond my home country's borders. I'm genuinely excited about this new chapter - it represents exactly the kind of growth opportunity I need."

The player concluded with optimistic anticipation, stating, "I'm looking forward to immersing myself in Tanzanian football and culture alike. This move ultimately represents the personal and professional challenge I sought - a fresh adventure that I'm eager to embrace completely."