Mamelodi Sundowns flop wins trophy in South America | OneFootball

Downs flop clinches cup title in America

Photo: sundownsfc.com

Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Erwin Saavedra won the Torneo de Verano title as Club Bolivar beat Club Always Ready 5-3 on penalties in the cup final.

This marks the second trophy the 30-year-old has lifted with his boyhood club, as he was part of the team that lifted the league title in 2024.

Saavedra is somewhat of a club legend at Bolivar, having made over 170 appearances with 37 goals and 23 assists across four spells.

Contrary, the Bolivia international struggled in the South African topflight, enduring an injury-ravaged spell with Sundowns.

He was lured to Chloorkop in February 2022 in a deal worth in the region of €700 000 (R13 million) - but failed to live up to expectations.

The utility player was shipped back on loan to Bolivar in February 2024, before returning to Downs in January 2025, and eventually let go permanently to Bolivar a month later.

Saavedra made a total of 13 appearances across all competitions for Masandawana, failing to make a single goal contribution.

The player has now rediscovered his form in his native country as he chipped in with seven goals and two assists in 21 league matches last season.