Sometimes the path to football glory isn’t straightforward—and for Aphelele Teto, it’s been anything but smooth.
After dealing with international red tape and visa frustrations in Scotland, the 22-year-old winger is now eyeing a new chapter closer to home.
And it looks like Mamelodi Sundowns are ready to hand him that opportunity.
Visa Woes Derail European Ambitions
Teto had high hopes when he signed a four-year deal with Scottish club Livingston FC back in 2023.
The move came after he impressed scouts during a European tour with TS Galaxy.
But despite all that promise, his UK adventure never really kicked off.
Why? A failed visa application—more than once, actually.
Despite his talent and even a loan spell at Chippa United that helped him earn two Bafana Bafana caps, he still couldn’t meet the strict criteria set by the Scottish FA for foreign players.
Among the rules: consistent national team appearances and eligibility based on FIFA rankings. Unfortunately, Teto came up short.
Livingston Forced to Let Go
The recurring visa issues eventually led Livingston and Teto to go their separate ways.
According to someone close to the situation, the club did try to appeal through the Exceptions Panel—but even with his international experience, the UK work permit remained out of reach.
It was a frustrating end to a promising partnership, especially after Teto showed real potential during his stint in South Africa’s CHAN qualifiers against Egypt.
Sundowns Jump at the Opportunity
With his Livingston journey behind him, it didn’t take long for Mamelodi Sundowns to make their move.
Reports suggest the reigning PSL champions are finalizing a permanent deal for Teto—one that offers him the kind of stability he hasn’t had in a while.
After bouncing between clubs and continents, Teto could finally have a home base where he can fully focus on his game.
Sources close to Sundowns say the club believes in his long-term potential and wants to help him grow without the uncertainty of repeated loans or stalled overseas ambitions.
A New Chapter, with Europe Still Watching
Interestingly, even as Teto gears up to join Sundowns, Livingston haven’t completely closed the door.
Insiders hint they’ll be keeping a close eye on his development in South Africa—hoping that if the visa hurdles are eventually resolved, a European return might still be possible.
In the meantime, all eyes will be on how Teto fits into Sundowns’ high-powered squad.
With his pace, vision, and international experience, fans are curious to see if he can take things up a level in the PSL.