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{{short description|Association football club in South Africa}}
{{Short description|Association football club in South Africa}}
{{About|the men's football club|the women's football club|Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C.}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use South African English|date=October 2013}}
{{Use South African English|date=September 2024}}

{{Infobox football club
{{Infobox football club
| ground = [[Loftus Versfeld Stadium]]
| nickname = ''The Brazilians<br>Bafana baStyle<br>Masandawana<br>Downs<br> Kabo Yellow
| capacity = 51,762
| ground = {{nowrap|[[Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium]]<br>[[Loftus Versfeld Stadium]]}}
| clubname = Mamelodi Sundowns
| capacity = 28,900<br>51,762
| image = The logo of Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.png
| season = [[2019-20 South African Premier Division|2019–20]]
| clubname = Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.
| fullname = Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club
| short name =
| image = Mamelodi_Sundowns_logo.svg
{{Plainlist|
| fullname = Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club
* Sundowns
| short name = Sundowns
* SUN
| founded = {{start date and age|1970}}
* MSD
| owner = [[Patrice Motsepe]]
}}
| managers = [[Manqoba Mngqithi]]<br/>[[Rhulani Mokwena]]
| nickname =
| league = [[South African Premier Division|DStv Premiership]]
{{Plainlist|
| position = 1st
* ''Bafana ba Style''
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* '' Masandawana ''
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* '' Ka bo Yellow ''
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* '' Shoe Shine and Piano ''
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* '' The Brazilians''
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}}
| leftarm1 = FFDF00
| body1 = FFDF00
| founded = {{start date and age|1970}}
| rightarm1 = FFDF00
| owner = [[Patrice Motsepe]]
| shorts1 = 0000FF
| chairman = Tlhopie Motsepe
| socks1 = FFFFFF
| manager = [[Manqoba Mngqithi]]
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| pattern_la2 = _mamelodi2021a
| league = [[South African Premier Division|Betway Premiership]]
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| season = [[2022–23 South African Premier Division|2023–24]]
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| position = 1st (champions)
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| leftarm1 = FEDD27
| website = www.sundownsfc.co.za
| body1 = FEDD27
| current = 2020-21 Mamelodi Sundowns FC season
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| current = 2023–24 Mamelodi Sundowns season
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}}
'''Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club''' (simply often known as '''Sundowns''') is a [[South Africa]]n professional [[Association football|football]] club based in [[Mamelodi]] in [[Pretoria]] in the [[Gauteng]] province that plays in the [[Premier Soccer League]], the first tier of South African football league system. Founded in the 1960s, the team plays its home games in the [[Loftus Versfeld Stadium]] and [[Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium]].


{| class="infobox" style="font-size: 88%; width: 22em; text-align: center"
Since the inception of the PSL in 1996, Sundowns have won the league title a record ten times. It is currently the most successful football club in South Africa and arguably the biggest since its major transformation in 2004. They were the 2016 [[CAF Champions League]] champions and 2016 CAF Club of the Year. They have also won the [[Nedbank Cup]] four times, and hold the joint record of three [[National Football League (South Africa)|National Football League]] Championships. They are the first South African team to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they finished in 6th place.
! colspan=3 style="font-size: 125%; background-color: #fff203; color: #080808; border:1px solid #fff203; text-align:center;"| Active departments of<br>Mamelodi Sundowns
|-
! width="33%" style="text-align:center;" |[[File:Football pictogram.svg|30px]]
! width="33%" style="text-align:center;" |[[File:Football pictogram.svg|30px]]
|-
! style="text-align:center;" |'''Football (Men's)'''
! style="text-align:center;" |[[Mamelodi Sundowns Diski Team|Football B (Men's)]]
|-
! width="33%" style="text-align:center;" |[[File:Football pictogram.svg|30px]]
! width="33%" style="text-align:centre;" |[[File:Football pictogram.svg|30px]]
|-
! style="text-align:center;" |[[Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC|Football (Women's)]]
! style="text-align:center;" |[[Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Academy|Football B (Women's)]]
|}


'''Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club''' (simply known as '''Sundowns''') is a South African professional [[Association football|football]] club based in [[Mamelodi]], [[Pretoria]] in the [[Gauteng]] province that plays in the [[Premier Soccer League]], the first tier of South African football league system. Founded in the 1970s, the team plays its home games in the [[Loftus Versfeld Stadium]].
Sundowns is owned by South African business magnate [[Patrice Motsepe]]. The club's nickname, ''The Brazilians'', is a reference to their soccer kit (blue and yellow) which resembles that of the [[Brazil national football team|Brazil national team]]. In recent times Sundowns has sent a number of players overseas, including [[Bongani Zungu]], [[Percy Tau]] and [[Keagan Dolly]]. Sundowns became the first club from South Africa to finish a [[CAF Champions League|Champions League]] group stage unbeaten in the [[2019-20 CAF Champions League|2019-20 Season]] when they finished with a record 4-2-0.


It is currently{{when|date=June 2024}} the most successful football club in the South African [[Premier Soccer League|PSL]] era. They won the 2016 [[2016 CAF Champions League|CAF Champions League]], 2017 [[2017 CAF Super Cup|CAF Super Cup]] and were voted the 2016 CAF Club of the Year. Domestically, they have also won the [[Nedbank Cup]] six times, the [[MTN 8]] four times and the [[Telkom Knockout]] four times. They are the first South African team to compete in the [[FIFA Club World Cup]], where they finished in 6th place. In 2021, Sundowns became the first club in Africa to win both [[CAF Champions League]] and [[2021 CAF Women's Champions League|CAF Women's Champions League]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diamond |first=Drew |date=2023-11-16 |title=South African club Mamelodi Sundowns to release Netflix documentary |url=https://herfootballhub.com/south-african-club-mamelodi-sundowns-to-release-netflix-documentary/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=Her Football Hub}}</ref> titles. In 2023, Sundowns was crowned the champions of the [[2023 African Football League|first African Football League]].
Sundowns has won more league titles than any other club in South African football history. {{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

Sundowns is owned by South African business magnate [[Patrice Motsepe]] and is one of the most valuable clubs in Africa, by market value.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1231531/most-valuable-football-clubs-in-africa|title=Most valuable football clubs in Africa as of the 2021/2022 season, by market value|date=20 September 2021|website=mirror|access-date=18 November 2021|archive-date=19 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119052944/https://www.statista.com/statistics/1231531/most-valuable-football-clubs-in-africa/|url-status=live}}</ref> The club takes pride in its unique style of attacking play, locally dubbed "Shoe Shine & Piano" which includes combinations of quick, short passes on the ground and this is likened to the Spanish [[Tiki-taka]] and Total Football. Over the years, this style of play has been reflected in its Youth teams and [[Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC|women's football team]].


==History==
==History==
=== 1964–1970: Beginnings===
Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club originated around [[Marabastad]], a cosmopolitan area north west of the Pretoria CBD.


Sundowns Football Club originated around [[Marabastad]], a cosmopolitan area north west of the [[Pretoria]] CBD in the early sixties, where it was formed by a group of youngsters residing in the area. The club mentions individuals such as Frank "ABC" Motsepe, Roy Fischer, Ingle Singh and Bernard Hartze and as part of its founding young stars.<ref name="History – Mamelodi Sundowns">{{Cite web |url=https://sundownsfc.co.za/history/ |title=History – Mamelodi Sundowns |publisher=Mamelodi Sundowns FC |accessdate=2 April 2023 |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403214727/https://sundownsfc.co.za/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The newly established team was named Marabastad Sundowns after an amateur club called Sundowns, which existed in the 1940s, also formed in Marabastad.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-za/amp/news/goalpedia-how-did-mamelodi-sundowns-get-their-name/10n5k8d1q8bmr1qq6reo4mn4rt |title=How did Mamelodi Sundowns get their name? – Goalpedia |publisher=Goal |accessdate=2 April 2023 |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403220027/https://www.goal.com/en-za/amp/news/goalpedia-how-did-mamelodi-sundowns-get-their-name/10n5k8d1q8bmr1qq6reo4mn4rt |url-status=live }}</ref>
The club was originally formed in the early 1960s by a group of friends, among whom were Reginald Hartze, Joey Lawrence and [[Bernard Hartze]]. It became an official football club in 1970.
[[File:Mamelodi Sundowns-002.jpg|thumb|Headquarters of Mamelodi Sundowns FC in Chloorkop in Pretoria.]]


In 1969, Ingle "Jinx" Sigh, one of the founding players for Sundowns and later owner of both Marabastad Sundowns and Pretoria City (which later became [[SuperSport United F.C.]]),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kaizerchiefs.com/news/memoirs-with-ingle-singh-kaizer-xi-1969-and-kaizer-chiefs-early-1970/ |title=Memoirs with Ingle Singh |publisher=Kaizer Chiefs |accessdate=2 April 2023 |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403214728/https://www.kaizerchiefs.com/news/memoirs-with-ingle-singh-kaizer-xi-1969-and-kaizer-chiefs-early-1970/ |url-status=live }}</ref> decided to sell the club to Dr. Bonny Sebotsane, Dr. Motsiri Itsweng and philanthropist Joseph Ntshimane "Fish" Kekana. The club was moved to the nearby township of [[Mamelodi]] and was officially established and renamed as Mamelodi Sundowns in 1970.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/news/goalpedia-how-did-mamelodi-sundowns-get-their-name/10n5k8d1q8bmr1qq6reo4mn4rt |title=How did Mamelodi Sundowns get their name? – Goalpedia |publisher=Goal |accessdate=2 April 2023 |archive-date=21 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621162003/https://www.goal.com/en/news/goalpedia-how-did-mamelodi-sundowns-get-their-name/10n5k8d1q8bmr1qq6reo4mn4rt |url-status=live }}</ref>
The club was affiliated to the Federation Professional Football League in 1973 and in the same year reached the finals of the Coca-Cola Cup, where they played against [[Berea United F.C.|Berea United]] and lost 5–3.


=== 1970–1988: Zola Mahobe, Stan Tshabalala and the "Mr Cool" Years===
In 1978, the [[Federation Professional League]] threw their weight behind the then [[National Professional Football League]]. This meant the end of the [[Federation Professional League]] and the subsequent relegation of Sundowns to the second division.


The club was affiliated with the Federation Professional Football League in 1973 and in the same year reached the finals of the Coca-Cola Cup, where they played against [[Berea United F.C.|Berea United]] and lost 5–3.
For five years 'Downs battled to gain promotion and during that period the Sundowns' management resolved to disband the club, but instead the club relocated to Mamelodi in the early 1980s.


In 1985, South African football was the first sport to become non-racial and the [[National Soccer League (South Africa)|National Soccer League]] was formed, incorporating the top clubs in the country.
In 1978, the [[Federation Professional League]] threw their weight behind the then [[National Professional Soccer League (South Africa)|National Professional Soccer League]]. This meant the end of the [[Federation Professional League]] and the subsequent relegation of Sundowns to the second division.
For five years 'Downs battled to gain promotion and managed to earn its place in NPSL in 1983, but in their first season in top-flight football, they found the going difficult and during that period the Sundowns' management resolved to disband the club, until new owner [[Zola Mahobe]] came on board in 1985.<ref name="History – Mamelodi Sundowns"/>


In the same year, 1985, South African football was the first sport in the country to become non-racial and the [[National Soccer League (South Africa)|National Soccer League]] was formed, incorporating the top clubs in the country, including Sundowns. Dave Barber was in charge at the start of the new [[National Soccer League (South Africa)|National Soccer League]] era but his tenure came to a swift end after the club found itself at the foot of the table and Zola Mahobe appointed Walter da Silver. Da Silver later quit after 5 games before the end of the season, claiming that Mahobe was interfering in team selection.<ref name="Chloorkop's coaches">{{Cite web |url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/kick-off/20220201/282127829844290 |title=Chloorkop's coaches |publisher=Kick Off, Mark Gleeson |accessdate=3 April 2023 |archive-date=21 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621161854/https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/kick-off/20220201/282127829844290 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Sundowns earned promotion to the NPSL in 1983, but in their first season in top-flight football, they found the going difficult until [[Zola Mahobe]] came on board in 1985 and appointed [[Ben Segale]] as their coach. Under the new owner Mahobe, Sundowns fortunes changed for the better as they began to challenge for top honours in the domestic league. The big spending Sundowns boss recruited the services of elite South African footballers on a quest for supremacy. Mahobe went to Soweto to acquire the services of the highly rated coach Stanley "Screamer" Tshabalala, who was assisting Blackpool at the time, to lead the ambitious Sundowns team. Under the tutelage of Screamer Tshabalala, Sundowns played an entertaining and effective brand of football which became known as "The Shoe Shine and Piano" and won various major trophies in the process to cement the club as one of the powerhouse of the South African football.


Zola Mahobe appointed Ben Segale as the coach, and the team ended the 1985 season in a flourish by winning the last 4 games to finish 11th place, which was a big improvement on their previous two top flight seasons. Under Mahobe, Sundowns fortunes changed for the better as they began to challenge for top honours in the domestic league. The big spending Sundowns boss recruited the services of elite South African footballers on a quest for supremacy, and changed their kit to resemble that of the [[Brazil national football team|Brazilian national team]], earning them their nickname, "the Brazilians".<ref>{{Cite web |title=How did Mamelodi Sundowns get their name? – Goalpedia – Goal.com |url=https://www.goal.com/en-za/news/goalpedia-how-did-mamelodi-sundowns-get-their-name/10n5k8d1q8bmr1qq6reo4mn4rt |access-date=2023-01-02 |publisher=Goal |archive-date=21 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621161854/https://www.goal.com/en-za/news/goalpedia-how-did-mamelodi-sundowns-get-their-name/10n5k8d1q8bmr1qq6reo4mn4rt |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1988, the ownership of the club fell into the hands of Standard Bank, which repossessed the club from Zola Mahobe. The club went into liquidation and the football family Angelo and Natasha Tsichlas spoke to the bank and saved the club. They then formed a company with Abe Krok and bought 100% of the club. Under the Tsichlas/Krok leadership Sundowns became the best {{vague|date=October 2020}} team in South Africa. They won the first NSL League Trophy with Angelo Tsichlas as coach.


Mahobe went to Soweto to acquire the services of the highly rated coach [[Stanley Tshabalala|Stanley "Screamer" Tshabalala]], who was assisting Blackpool at the time, to lead the ambitious Sundowns team. Under the tutelage of [[Stanley Tshabalala|Screamer Tshabalala]], Sundowns played an entertaining and effective brand of football which became known as "The Shoe Shine and Piano." By the end of 1986, the club had won the [[Nedbank Cup|Mainstay cup]] in a 1-0 brawl against [[Jomo Cosmos F.C.|Jomo Cosmos]] in [[Ellis Park Stadium|Ellis Park]] and goalkeeper, [[Mark Anderson (South African soccer)|Mark Anderson]] was voted Footballer of the Year as new players kept arriving. The next season, they finished third in the league, just three points behind champions Cosmos.
===Premier Soccer League===
[[National Soccer League]] was replaced by [[Premier Soccer League]] for the 1996–97 season. Sundowns won three consecutive titles from 1998 to 2000 as well as being [[Bob Save Super Bowl]] winners in 1998 and [[Telkom Knockout|Rothmans Cup]] winners in 1999.


Sundowns were flying in 1988, with a victory against cross-town rivals [[Arcadia Shepherds F.C.|Arcadia]] in the final of [[MTN 8|BP Top Eight Cup]], and then later beating them again for the Ohlsson's Challenge Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Africa Cup Winners |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesz/zafcuphist.html |access-date=31 March 2023 |publisher=RSSSF}}</ref> Despite winning two trophies that year, trouble was brewing in the camp when players, led by [[Mark Anderson (South African soccer)|Anderson]] demanded the resignation of coach Tshabalala and his assistant Trot Moloto. Stan resigned from his position, with a record of 54 wins, 29 draws and 25 losses. Captain, Mike Ntombela took charge over the club for four games while the management looked for a coach.<ref name="Chloorkop's coaches"/>
After dominating the local league by winning the league title three times in a row, Sundowns extended their focus to continental glory. In 2001, the club became only the second South African team to reach the prestigious CAF Champions League when they defeated Petro Atlético in the semifinals to reach their first continental cup final. The club reached the final of the [[CAF Champions League|2001 CAF Champions League]] where they were defeated 4–1 on aggregate by Egyptian club [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]].


In the same year, the ownership of the club fell into the hands of Standard Bank, which repossessed the club from Zola Mahobe. The club went into liquidation and the football family Angelo and Natasha Tsichlas spoke to the bank and saved the club. They then formed a company with Abe Krok and bought 100% of the club.
Under Tsichlas, the team won more trophies than any other team in South Africa.

===1988–1995: Tsichlas/Krok leadership and First Championship===

Chilean coach, [[Mario Tuane]] and his assistant Angelo Tsichlas took charge of a club at the top of the table and led it to its first league championship. There were rapturous celebrations at [[HM Pitje Stadium]] after Sundowns gained an unassailable point lead over Cosmos. However, the club could not defend the Ohlsson's challenge and BP Top Eight crowns and the Tuane era came to an end, with Angelo Tsichlas taking charge of the team as a caretaker coach until the club appointed [[Trott Moloto]], and shortly after [[Stan Lapot]]. In the '89 season, Sundowns went on a 7-game unbeaten run in the league, but could only win one of their last 6 matches in the league, which ended the club's season at position 5.

This prompted the return of [[Stanley Tshabalala|Stan Tshabalala]], who took the team to the top of the table again in 1990. Sundowns only lost 2 league games during the campaign and won its first treble, managing to win the [[MTN 8|Top Eight Cup]] and the [[Telkom Knockout|JPS Knockout Cup]] against [[Orlando Pirates F.C.|Orlando Pirates]] with a 2–1 scoreline in the final.

This success was followed by a season of heartbreaking losses in 1991, with the team finishing second place in the league and failing to get into any cup final. 1992 was similar under [[Augusto Palacios]], when Sundowns lost both the Top Eight cup and Castle Challenge to rivals [[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]] and Orlando Pirates respectively, finishing 6th in the league.

[[Jeff Butler (football manager)|Jeff Butler]] was appointed as the coach in 1993 after being turfed in a dispute with [[South Africa national soccer team|Bafana Bafana]]. He led the club to a 3rd league title win in a close 3 point race against Moroka Swallows and a 4th place league finish in the following year. Sundowns qualified for a continental title for the first time in the 1994 [[CAF Champions League|African Cup of Champions Clubs]] but lost to [[AS Vita Club]] in the second round.

===1995–2004: Premier Soccer League and the Ted Dimitru era===

[[National Soccer League]] was replaced by [[Premier Soccer League]] for the 1996–97 season. After a flurry of coaches and players came, went, and a third Stan Tshabalala stint in unsuccessful '96 and '97 campaigns, Sundowns signed [[Raphael Chukwu]] from Nigerian club, [[Shooting Stars S.C.]] and appointed [[Ted Dumitru]] as head coach in July 1997. Raphael's partnership with [[Daniel Mudau]] proved to be prolific in front of posts.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://magazine.sundownsfc.co.za/articles/taking-a-trip-on-the-chukwu-train |title=Taking a trip on the Chukwu train – Reflecting the Greatness of Raphael Chukwu |date=6 June 2022 |publisher=Mamelodi Sundowns FC |accessdate=3 April 2023 |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403214726/https://magazine.sundownsfc.co.za/articles/taking-a-trip-on-the-chukwu-train |url-status=live }}</ref> Backed up by a super team of standout players such as Joel Masilela, [[Alex Bapela]], [[Isaac Shai]], [[Roger Feutmba]] and goalkeeper [[John Tlale]] amongst others, Sundowns went on to win three consecutive league titles from 1998 to 2000 as well as being [[Bob Save Super Bowl]] winners in 1998 and [[Telkom Knockout|Rothmans Cup]] winners in 1999.

In 2001, Sundowns focused their efforts on continental glory and became only the second South African team to reach the prestigious [[CAF Champions League]] Final when they defeated Petro Atlético in the semifinals. The club played the [[CAF Champions League|2001 CAF Champions League]] Final where they were defeated 4–1 on aggregate by Egyptian club [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]].

The club underwent a period of rebuilding after the 1999/2000 season, enduring a period of bad performances in league and cup matches. Sundowns finished 3rd in the [[2001–02 Premier Soccer League|2001/02]] season, 10th in the [[2002–03 Premier Soccer League|2002/03 season]], 5th in the [[2003–04 Premier Soccer League|2003/04 season]] and again 3rd in the [[2004–05 Premier Soccer League|2004/05 season]].

===2004-present: Patrice Motsepe ownership===


In 2004, mining magnate Patrice Motsepe bought a 51% share in the club and later took total control of the club by buying the remaining shares, thus becoming the sole owner and shareholder of the club. Under their new owner, Sundowns picked up their first piece of silverware for six years in May 2006 when co-coaches [[Miguel Gamondi]] and [[Neil Tovey]] oversaw Sundowns' triumph in the PSL, the seventh league title in their history.
In 2004, mining magnate Patrice Motsepe bought a 51% share in the club and later took total control of the club by buying the remaining shares, thus becoming the sole owner and shareholder of the club. Under their new owner, Sundowns picked up their first piece of silverware for six years in May 2006 when co-coaches [[Miguel Gamondi]] and [[Neil Tovey]] oversaw Sundowns' triumph in the PSL, the seventh league title in their history.


After a slow start to the 2006–07 season, Gamondi and Tovey were relieved of their positions, and [[Gordon Igesund]] took over as head coach. Under Igesund, Sundowns defended their title in emphatic style, running away with the trophy. They failed to win the 'double', losing to [[Ajax Cape Town F.C.|Ajax Cape Town]] in the [[Nedbank Cup|2007 ABSA Cup]] final.
After a slow start to the 2006–07 season, Gamondi and Tovey were relieved of their positions, and [[Gordon Igesund]] took over as head coach. Under Igesund, Sundowns defended their title in emphatic style, running away with the trophy. They failed to win the 'double', losing to [[Cape Town Spurs F.C.|Ajax Cape Town]] in the [[Nedbank Cup|2007 ABSA Cup]] final.


After a stuttering start to the 2009–10 season, an impressive run through the second half of the season saw the club to second position in the final league standings. The club nevertheless parted ways with coach [[Hristo Stoichkov]].
A stuttering start to the 2009–10 season saw an impressive run through the second half of the season which propelled the club to second position in the final league standings. The club nevertheless parted ways with coach [[Hristo Stoichkov]].


In the 2010–11 season, [[Antonio Lopez Habas]], who was the assistant coach under Stoichkov, took over the reins of the senior team. Sundowns made its best ever start to a League season and topped the league standings at the end of the first round. The second round of the league proved more competitive and Sundowns were in the hunt for the league title until the second last match. Habas resigned in February, citing personal reasons and went back to Spain. Assistant coach [[Ian Gorowa]] was appointed as interim head coach.
In the 2010–11 season, [[Antonio Lopez Habas]], who was the assistant coach under Stoichkov, took over the reins of the senior team. Sundowns made its best ever start to a League season and topped the league standings at the end of the first round. The second round of the league proved more competitive and Sundowns were in the hunt for the league title until the second last match. Habas resigned in February, citing personal reasons and went back to Spain. Assistant coach [[Ian Gorowa]] was appointed as interim head coach.


In 2011 highly rated Dutch tactician [[Johan Neeskens]] was appointed as the coach of Sundowns in a bid to awaken the sleeping giant that hadn't won silverware since winning the 2008 Nedbank cup. The Dutch-born coach gave a number of young players from the development team opportunities to impress in the senior team. Even though the Dutch mentor made the team play free-flowing and an entertaining brand of football, his failure to capture silverware led to his demise. In 2012, under the leadership of Neeskens, the club lost the 2012 Nedbank final 2–1 to Tshwane rivals [[Supersport United F.C.|Supersport United]]. His coaching stint at Chloorkop was short-lived as the impatient and demanding Sundowns supporters exerted pressure to the management to sack him. When the team failed to win the 2012 Telkom Knockout final against [[Bloemfontein Celtic]], Neeskens got sacked as the head coach of the Tshwane-based side as the team was also languishing in the relegation zone.
In 2011, highly rated Dutch tactician [[Johan Neeskens]] was appointed as the coach of Sundowns in a bid to awaken the sleeping giant that hadn't won silverware since winning the 2008 Nedbank cup. The Dutch-born coach gave a number of young players from the development team opportunities to impress in the senior team. Even though the Dutch mentor made the team play free-flowing and an entertaining brand of football, his failure to capture silverware led to his demise. On 4 March 2012, under the leadership of Neeskens, the team set a remarkable South African record in the [[Nedbank Cup]] when they beat [[Powerlines FC|Powerlines]] by a score of 24–0.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|title=Sundowns make South African history with 24–0 win|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17259535|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 March 2012|access-date=7 March 2012|archive-date=7 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307191135/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17259535|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="24nil">{{cite web|title=Downs thrash Powerlines in record win|url=http://www.sundownsfc.com/news/article/120304/Downs_thrash_Powerlines_in_record_win|publisher=Sundowns FC|date=4 March 2012|access-date=7 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306235316/http://www.sundownsfc.com/news/article/120304/Downs_thrash_Powerlines_in_record_win|archive-date=6 March 2012}}</ref> The club went on to lose the 2012 Nedbank final 2–1 to Tshwane rivals [[Supersport United F.C.|Supersport United]]. His coaching stint at Chloorkop was short-lived as the impatient and demanding Sundowns supporters exerted pressure to the management to sack him. When the team failed to win the 2012 Telkom Knockout final against [[Bloemfontein Celtic]], Neeskens got sacked as the head coach of the Tshwane-based side as the team was also languishing in the relegation zone.

===2012–2019: The Pitso Mosimane Era===

On 2 December 2012, Pitso Mosimane took over as head coach and guided a turbulent Sundowns season to 9th place in the league. The [[2013–14 South African Premier Division|2013/14]] season began on a better note, with a 6-game unbeaten streak including a 7-1 thumping of AmaZulu F.C. at home. However, in the mid-season, team performances became inconsistent and Sundowns found itself 11 points behind log leaders [[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]]. There was still positivity in the camp however, and Mosimane was confident about a good end to the season. On 9 March 2014, Sundowns began an 11-game unbeaten streak that would end in an emphatic league title win after a 6-year trophy drought.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://footballdatabase.com/league-scores/south-africa-premier-league-2012-14/2 |title=Premier League 2013/14 |publisher=Football Database |accessdate=3 April 2023 |archive-date=21 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621161856/https://footballdatabase.com/competitions-index |url-status=live }}</ref>

The acquisition of [[Khama Billiat]] in August 2013, [[Keagan Dolly]] and [[Leonardo Castro (footballer, born 1989)|Leonardo Castro]] in the [[2014–15 South African Premier Division|2014/15]] season bolstered the Sundowns attacking order that was backed by [[Hlompho Kekana]], [[Samuel Mabunda]], [[Themba Zwane]], [[Teko Modise]] and academy wonder [[Percy Tau]]. The team finished 2nd in the league in the 2014 season, but won both the [[Nedbank Cup]] and [[Telkom Knockout]]. This would begin an era dominance in the league and Sundowns won the 2015/2016, 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 league titles on the trot. [[2015–16 South African Premier Division|2015/16]] was a record breaking season, which saw Sundowns become the first team to break the 70 point ceiling in the league since the South African top flight league became a 16-team league system.

In 2017, Mosimane oversaw Sundowns' first CAF Champions League win, which was the goal of owner Patrice Motsepe when he bought the club in 2004. Sundowns were eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the [[2016 CAF Champions League]], but were placed back in the competition after [[Democratic Republic of Congo|Congolese]] team [[AS Vita Club|Vita Club]] were disqualified from the competition for fielding a suspended player.<ref name="2016championsleague">{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/oct/24/mortada-mansour-blames-sorcery-zamalek-african-champions-league-defeat | title=Mortada Mansour blames sorcery for Zamalek African Champions League defeat | work=The Guardian | date=24 October 2016 | access-date=24 October 2016 | archive-date=21 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621162003/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/oct/24/mortada-mansour-blames-sorcery-zamalek-african-champions-league-defeat | url-status=live }}</ref> In their journey for gold, Sundowns opened their campaign with an annulled 2–0 win against [[Algeria|Algeria's]] [[ES Setif]] courtesy of [[Samuel Mabunda|Mabunda]] and [[Khama Billiat]] goals.

==== 2017 CAF Champions Win ====
On 26 June 2016, they faced [[Nigerian|Nigeria]] club [[Enyimba International F.C.]] at [[Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium|Lucas Moripe Stadium]]. They defeated the Nigerians 2–1 with goals from [[Leonardo Castro (footballer, born 1989)|Leonardo Castro]] and [[Wayne Arendse]] in the 42nd and 78th minutes, respectively. Their good form continued to Egypt, defeating Egyptian club [[Zamalek SC]] with a goal from Mabunda in the 17th minute, followed by an [[Mohamed Ibrahim (footballer, born 1992)|Ibrahim]] leveller in the 36th minute, prevailing with a 66th-minute goal from their star player [[Khama Billiat]], which ended the match in favour of the Brazilians 2–1. They repeated this in the 2nd leg by beating the Egyptian club 1–0 with an [[own goal]] from [[Ali Gabr]] in the 79th minute. The win assured 'Downs a place in the semifinals, but they needed to end their group stage campaign on a high away against Enyimba. Playing with young players, 'Downs succumbed to their first defeat by 3–1 on a rainy slippery field.


In the semifinals, they faced Zambian team [[ZESCO United F.C.|ZESCO United]] at the [[Levy Mwanawasa Stadium]], where they lost to quick succession goals just a minute apart in the 54th and 56th minutes from Mwanza. Billiat netted a goal in the 86th minute to bring the score to 2–1, leaving 'Downs with much to do in the second leg. In the second leg, 'Downs did what was needed of them by winning the match 2–0, thanks to a goal from Liberian [[Anthony Laffor]] in the 5th minute and the young [[Percy Tau]] in the 64th minute. Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. reached the final of the competition for the first time since the [[2001 CAF Champions League]] final (where they lost to [[Al Ahly SC]]). They also reached the 4th final for South African clubs (1 win and 2 losses).
On 2 December 2012, Pitso Mosimane took over as head coach and under his leadership Mamelodi Sundowns won the 2013/2014, 2015/2016, 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 league titles. Mosimane oversaw the rise of Sundowns to win the CAF Champions League, which was the goal of owner Patrice Motsepe when he bought the club in 2004. In 2017, Sundowns became the first team in South Africa to win the [[CAF Super Cup]] by defeating [[TP Mazembe]] from the DRC.


In the final, they beat Egypt's [[Zamalek SC]] 3–1 on aggregate, claiming their first-ever continental title and becoming only the second South African team to be crowned champions of Africa, after [[Orlando Pirates F.C.|Orlando Pirates]].<ref name="2016championsleague" />
On 4 March 2012, the team set a remarkable South African record in the [[Nedbank Cup]] when they beat [[Powerlines FC|Powerlines]] by a score of 24–0.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|title=Sundowns make South African history with 24–0 win|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17259535|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=4 March 2012|access-date=7 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="24nil">{{cite web|title=Downs thrash Powerlines in record win|url=http://www.sundownsfc.com/news/article/120304/Downs_thrash_Powerlines_in_record_win|publisher=Sundowns FC|date=4 March 2012|access-date=7 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306235316/http://www.sundownsfc.com/news/article/120304/Downs_thrash_Powerlines_in_record_win|archive-date=6 March 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


{{Annotated image |caption=Starting lineup for CAF Champions League 2016 Final, 1st leg
===2016===
{{Annotated image |caption={{pad|4em}} Starting lineup for CAF Champions League 2016 Final, 1st leg
|height=390|image-left=8|image-top=7|image-width=250 |width=260
|height=390|image-left=8|image-top=7|image-width=250 |width=260
|imagemap=
|imagemap=
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{{Annotation|200|150|[[#Wide midfield|Dolly]]}}
{{Annotation|200|150|[[#Wide midfield|Dolly]]}}
{{Annotation|19|150|[[#Wide midfield|Tau]]}}
{{Annotation|19|150|[[#Wide midfield|Tau]]}}
{{Annotation|150|200|[[#Centre midfield|Kekana ( C )]]}}
{{Annotation|150|200|[[#Centre midfield|Kekana (C)]]}}
{{Annotation|67|200|[[#Centre midfield|Mabunda]]}}
{{Annotation|67|200|[[#Centre midfield|Mabunda]]}}
{{Annotation|110|75|[[#Winger|Laffor]]}}
{{Annotation|110|75|[[#Winger|Laffor]]}}
{{Annotation|110|110|[[#Winger|Billiat]]}}
{{Annotation|110|110|[[#Winger|Billiat]]}}
}}
}}
Sundowns were eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the [[2016 CAF Champions League]], but were placed back in the competition after [[Democratic Republic of Congo|Congolese]] team [[AS Vita Club|Vita Club]] were disqualified from the competition for fielding a suspended player.<ref name="2016championsleague">{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/oct/24/mortada-mansour-blames-sorcery-zamalek-african-champions-league-defeat | title=Mortada Mansour blames sorcery for Zamalek African Champions League defeat | work=The Guardian | date=24 October 2016 | access-date=24 October 2016}}</ref> In their journey for gold, Sundowns opened their campaign with a annulled 2–0 win against [[Algeria|Algeria's]] [[ES Setif]] courtesy of [[Samuel Mabunda|Mabunda]] and [[Khama Billiat]] goals.


Sundowns went on to win the [[2017 CAF Super Cup]] in [[Loftus Versfeld Stadium]] by defeating [[TP Mazembe]] from the DRC in the same season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/6/54/258460/Sports/Africa/South-Africas-Sundowns-win-first-CAF-Super-Cup-tit.aspx |title=South Africa's Sundowns win first CAF Super Cup title after late victory over Mazembe |publisher=Ahram Online |accessdate=1 April 2023 |archive-date=21 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621161949/https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/6/54/258460/Sports/Africa/South-Africas-Sundowns-win-first-CAF-Super-Cup-tit.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> The club made the bold signings of [[Gaston Sirino]] from [[Club Bolívar|Bolivar]] and an ailing [[Rivaldo Coetzee]] in 2018. Despite losing a number of valuable players in the previous season, the club maintained good performances in domestic cups, winning a domestic treble (league, [[Telkom Knockout]] and [[Nedbank Cup]]) in the [[2018–19 South African Premier Division|2018/19]] season.
Despite the disappointment of losing 3 points, that did not halt their performance. On 26 June 2016, they faced [[Nigerian|Nigeria]] club [[Enyimba International F.C.]] in the [[Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium]]. They defeated the Nigerians 2–1 with goals from [[Leonardo Castro]] and [[Wayne Arendse]] in the 42nd and 78th minutes, respectively. Their good form continued to Egypt, defeating Egyptian club [[Zamalek SC]] with a goal from Mabunda in the 17th minute, followed by an [[Ibrahim]] leveller in the 36th minute, prevailing with a 66th minute goal from their star player [[Khama Billiat]], which ended the match in favour of the Brazilians 2–1. They repeated this in the 2nd leg by beating the Egyptian club 1-0 with an [[own goal]] from [[Ali Gabr]] in the 79th minute. The win assured 'Downs a place in the semifinals, but they needed to end their group stage campaign on a high away against Enyimba. Playing with young players, 'Downs succumbed to their first defeat by 3–1 on a rainy slippery field.


===2020-present: Rhulani Mokwena & Manqoba Mngqithi===
In the semifinals, they faced Zambian team [[ZESCO United F.C.|ZESCO United]] at the [[Levy Mwanawasa Stadium]], where they lost to quick succession goals just a minute apart in the 54th and 56th minutes from Mwanza. Billiat netted a goal in the 86th minute to bring the score to 2–1, leaving 'Downs with much to do in the second leg. In the second leg, 'Downs did what was needed of them by winning the match 2–0, thanks to a goal from Liberian [[Anthony Laffor]] in the 5th minute and the young [[Percy Tau]] in the 64th minute. Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. reached the final of the competition for the first time since the [[2001 CAF Champions League]] final (where they lost to [[Al Ahly SC]]). They also reached a 4th final for South African clubs (1 win and 2 losses).
[[File:Go Ahead Eagles - Mamelodi Sundowns FC - 53065960366.jpg|thumb|Mamelodi Sundowns FC in a friendly game against [[Go Ahead Eagles]] in 2023.]]
In 2020, the team underwent changes in coaching personnel for the first time in almost 7 years and an influx of new players after the departure of Pitso Mosimane. The club appointed former assistant coaches, [[Rhulani Mokwena]] and [[Manqoba Mngqithi]] as joint Head Coaches with the opinion of Manqoba Mngithi prevailing when there isn't consensus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sundownsfc.co.za/mamelodi-sundowns-appoint-manqoba-mngqithi-and-rhulani-mokwena/ |publisher=Mamelodi Sundowns FC|title=Club Statement |date=4 October 2020 |accessdate=2 April 2023 }}</ref> The club's board was keen on appointing South African coaches, and later appointed [[Steve Komphela]] as a senior coach to assist the coaching pair. The trio saw off a season which saw the rise of new top scoring marksman, [[Peter Shalulile]] and standout signings such as [[Neo Maema]], [[Rushine De Reuck]] amongst many others. The club celebrated a successful 5th consecutive league win and a [[Nedbank Cup]] which showed that the club was heading in a good direction.


[[2021-22 South African Premier Division|2021/22]] was another record breaking league season played under Covid restrictions.
In the final, they beat Egypt's [[Zamalek SC]] 3–1 on aggregate, claiming their first ever continental title and becoming only the second South African team to be crowned champions of Africa.<ref name="2016championsleague" />


==Honours==
==Honours==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"

!style="width: 1%;"|Type
===National Titles===
!style="width: 5%;"|Competition
'''[[South African Premier Division|South African League titles]] (10)- Record:'''
!style="width: 1%;"|Titles

!style="width: 21%;"|Seasons
*'''[[Premier Soccer League]]'''

::'''Winners (10)''': [[Premier Soccer League 1997-98|1997–98]], [[Premier Soccer League 1998-99|1998–99]], [[Premier Soccer League 1999-00|1999–00]], [[Premier Soccer League 2005-06|2005–06]], [[Premier Soccer League 2006-07|2006–07]], [[2013-14 Premier Soccer League|2013–14]], [[2015-16 Premier Soccer League|2015–16]], [[2017–18 South African Premier Division|2017–18]], [[2018–19 South African Premier Division|2018–19]], [[2019–20 South African Premier Division|2019–20]]
::''Runners-up (3)'': [[Premier Soccer League 2009-10|2009–10]], [[2014-15 Premier Soccer League|2014–15]], [[Premier Soccer League 2016-17|2016-17]]

*'''[[National Soccer League (South Africa)|National Soccer League]]'''

::'''Winners (3)''': [[1988 NSL First Division|1988]], [[1990 NSL First Division|1989–90]], [[1993 NSL First Division|1992–93]]
::''Runners-up (2)'': [[1991 NSL First Division|1990–91]], [[1995 NSL First Division|1994–95]]

===Cup competitions===

*'''[[Nedbank Cup]]'''
::'''Winners (5)''': 1986, 1998, [[Nedbank Cup 2008|2008]], [[2014-15 Nedbank Cup|2014–15]], [[2019–20 Nedbank Cup|2019–20]]
::''Runners-up (5)'': 1989, 2000, 2001, 2007, [[2011-12 Nedbank Cup|2011–12]]

*'''[[Telkom Knockout]]'''
::'''Winners (4)''': 1990, 1999, 2015, [[2019 Telkom Knockout|2019]]
::''Runners-up (4)'': 1997, 1998, 2007, [[2012 Telkom Knockout|2012]]

*'''[[MTN 8]]'''
::'''Winners (3)''': 1988, 1990, 2007
::''Runners-up (6)'': 1992, 1994, 2001, 2002, [[MTN 8 2008|2008]], [[2016 MTN 8|2016]]

===African Competitions===
*'''[[CAF Champions League]]:'''
{| Class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
|-
| rowspan="4" |'''Domestic'''
!Best final position!!Year (season)<br/>
! scope=col|[[Premier Soccer League]] / [[National Soccer League (South Africa)|National Soccer League]]
|bgcolor="gold"|'''17'''
|align="left"|'''Winners (17)''': [[1988 NSL First Division|1988]], [[1990 NSL First Division|1989–90]], [[1993 NSL First Division|1992–93]], [[1997–98 Premier Soccer League|1997–98]], [[1998–99 Premier Soccer League|1998–99]], [[1999–2000 Premier Soccer League|1999–2000]], [[2005–06 Premier Soccer League|2005–06]], [[2006–07 Premier Soccer League|2006–07]], [[2013–14 Premier Soccer League|2013–14]], [[2015–16 South African Premier Division|2015–16]], [[2017–18 South African Premier Division|2017–18]], [[2018–19 South African Premier Division|2018–19]], [[2019–20 South African Premier Division|2019–20]], [[2020–21 South African Premier Division|2020–21]], [[2021–22 South African Premier Division|2021–22]], [[2022–23 South African Premier Division|2022–23]], [[2023–24 South African Premier Division|2023–24]]
::Runners-up (5): [[1991 NSL First Division|1990–91]], [[1995 NSL First Division|1994–95]], [[2009–10 Premier Soccer League|2009–10]], [[2014–15 South African Premier Division|2014–15]], [[2016–17 South African Premier Division|2016–17]]
|-
|-
! scope=col|[[Nedbank Cup|Bob Save Superbowl/Nedbank Cup]]
|- style="background:gold;"
|align="center"|6
|'''Winners '''||'''[[CAF Champions League 2016|2016]]'''
|align="left"|'''Winners (6)''': 1986, [[1998 Bob Save Superbowl|1998]], [[Nedbank Cup 2008|2008]], [[2014–15 Nedbank Cup|2014–15]], [[2019–20 Nedbank Cup|2019–20]], [[2021–22 Nedbank Cup|2021–22]]
::Runners-up (7): 1989, 2000, 2001, 2007, [[2011–12 Nedbank Cup|2011–12]] [2023]
|-
|-
! scope=col|[[Telkom Knockout]]
|- style="background:silver;"
|align="center"|4
|'''Runners-up'''||'''[[CAF Champions League 2001|2001]]'''
|align="left"|'''Winners (4)''': 1990, 1999, 2015, [[2019 Telkom Knockout|2019]]
|}
::Runners-up (5): 1997, 1998, 2007, [[2012 Telkom Knockout|2012] [2024]

|-
*'''[[CAF Super Cup]]:'''
! scope=col|[[MTN 8]]
{| Class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|align="center"|4
|align="left"|'''Winners (4)''': 1988, 1990, [[SAA Supa 8 2007|2007]], [[2021 MTN 8|2021]]
::Runners-up (7): 1992, 1994, 2001, 2002, [[MTN 8 2008|2008]], [[2016 MTN 8|2016]], [[2023 MTN 8|2023]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |'''African'''
! scope=col|[[CAF Champions League]]
|align="center"|1
|align="left"|'''Winners (1)''': [[2016 CAF Champions League|2016]] [[Image:Star full.svg|10px]]
::Runners-up (1): [[2001 CAF Champions League|2001]]
|-
|-
! scope=col| [[CAF Super Cup]]
!Best final position!!Year (season)<br/>
|align="center"|1
|align="left"|'''Winners (1)''': [[CAF Super Cup 2017|2017]]
|-
! scope=col| [[African Football League]]
|align="center" bgcolor="gold"|1
|align="left"|'''Winners (1)''': [[2023 African Football League|2023]]
|-
|-
|- style="background:gold;"
|'''Champions'''||'''[[CAF Super Cup 2017|2017]]'''
|}
|}
<ref>{{Cite web |title=HONOURS – Mamelodi Sundowns – Official Website |url=https://sundownsfc.co.za/honours/ |access-date=2023-08-06|archive-date=6 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806202344/https://sundownsfc.co.za/honours/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

* {{legend|gold|Record}}
* {{smallsup|S}} Shared record


===Individual Awards===
===Awards===
*'''African Club of the Year 2016'''
*''African Club of the Year 2016''
*'''South African team of the year 2016'''
*''South African team of the year 2016''
*'''PSL team of the season 2015–16, 2013–14'''
*''PSL team of the season 2015–16, 2013–14''


===Friendly cup competitions ===
===Friendly cup competitions===


'''Shell Helix Cup'''
'''Shell Helix Cup'''
''Winners : 2018''


'''Winners : 2018'''
'''[[Telkom Charity Cup]]'''
*'''Winners(5) :''' 1991, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006

'''[[Carling Black Label Cup]]'''
*'''Winners:''' [[2022 Carling Black Label Cup|2022]]

'''Ohlsson's Challenge Cup'''
*'''Winners :''' 1988


==Performance in CAF Competitions==
==Performance in CAF Competitions==
'''NB:''' South African football clubs started participating in [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] Competitions in 1993, after 16 years of being banned from [[FIFA]] due to the apartheid system. The ban extended from 1976 to 1992.
'''NB:''' South African football clubs started participating in [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] Competitions in 1993, after 16 years of being banned from [[FIFA]] due to the apartheid system. The ban extended from 1976 to 1992.
*'''[[African Cup of Champions Clubs]] / [[CAF Champions League]]: 13 appearances'''
*'''[[African Cup of Champions Clubs]] / [[CAF Champions League]]: 17 appearances'''
The club have 1 appearance in [[African Cup of Champions Clubs]] 1994 and 12 appearances in [[CAF Champions League]] from 1999 until now. It has also recorded the biggest victory in the [[CAF Champions League]] by defeating Seychelles side [[Côte d'Or FC|Cote d’Or]], 11-1 at home and 16-1 on aggregate in the first round of the 2019-2020 season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sundowns break the record – Biggest victories in CAF Champions League history|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news-center/news/sundowns-break-the-record-biggest-victories-in-caf-champions-league-history|last=Football|first=CAF-Confedération Africaine du|website=CAFOnline.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
The club has 1 appearance in [[African Cup of Champions Clubs]] 1994 and 16 appearances in [[CAF Champions League]] from 1999 until now. It has also recorded the biggest victory in the [[CAF Champions League]] by defeating Seychelles side [[Côte d'Or FC|Côte d’Or]], 11–1 at home and 16–1 on aggregate in the first round of the 2019–2020 season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sundowns break the record – Biggest victories in CAF Champions League history|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news-center/news/sundowns-break-the-record-biggest-victories-in-caf-champions-league-history|last=Football|first=CAF-Confedération Africaine du|website=CAFOnline.com|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>


{| Class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{| Class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
Line 191: Line 271:
|'''[[CAF Champions League 1999|1999]]'''||'''[[1999 CAF Champions League|Play-offs]]'''
|'''[[CAF Champions League 1999|1999]]'''||'''[[1999 CAF Champions League|Play-offs]]'''
|-
|-
|'''[[CAF Champions League 2000|2000]]'''||'''[[2000 CAF Champions League|Group Stage]]'''
|'''[[CAF Champions League 2000|2000]]'''||'''[[2000 CAF Champions League|Group Stage]]''' (Top 4)
|-
|-
|- style="background:silver;"
|- style="background:silver;"
Line 207: Line 287:
|'''[[2016 CAF Champions League|2016]]'''||'''[[2016 CAF Champions League|Champion]]'''
|'''[[2016 CAF Champions League|2016]]'''||'''[[2016 CAF Champions League|Champion]]'''
|-
|-
|'''[[2017 CAF Champions League|2017]]'''||'''[[2017 CAF Champions League|Quarterfinals]]'''
|'''[[2017 CAF Champions League|2017]]'''||'''[[2017 CAF Champions League|Quarter finals]]'''
|-
|-
|'''[[2018 CAF Champions League|2018]]'''||'''[[2018 CAF Champions League|Group Stage]]'''
|'''[[2018 CAF Champions League|2018]]'''||'''[[2018 CAF Champions League|Group Stage]]'''
|-
|-
|'''[[CAF Champions League|2018–19]]'''||'''[[2018-19 CAF Champions League|Semi final]]'''
|'''[[CAF Champions League|2018–19]]'''||'''[[2018–19 CAF Champions League|Semi finals]]'''
|-
|'''[[CAF Champions League|2019–20]]'''||'''[[2019–20 CAF Champions League|Quarter finals]]'''
|-
|'''[[CAF Champions League|2020–21]]'''||'''[[2020-21 CAF Champions League|Quarter finals]]'''
|-
|'''[[CAF Champions League|2021–22]]'''||'''[[2021-22 CAF Champions League|Quarter finals]]'''
|-
|'''[[CAF Champions League|2022–23]]'''||'''[[2022-23 CAF Champions League|Semi finals]]'''
|-
|-
|'''[[CAF Champions League|2019–20]]'''||'''[[2019-20 CAF Champions League|Quarterfinals]]'''
|'''[[CAF Champions League|2023–24]]'''||'''[[2023-24 CAF Champions League|Semi finals]]'''
|}
|}


Line 261: Line 349:


;Note
;Note
* DNQ - Did Not Qualify
* DNQ Did not qualify
* The CAF announced on 24 May 2016 that Mamelodi Sundowns won on walkover after AS Vita Club were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player in their preliminary round tie against Mafunzo.Mamelodi Sundowns played in the Confederation Cup play-off round before they were reinstated to the Champions League.
* CAF announced on 24 May 2016 that Mamelodi Sundowns won on walkover after [[AS Vita Club]] were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player in their preliminary round tie against [[Mafunzo F.C.|Mafunzo]]. Mamelodi Sundowns played in the Confederation Cup play-off round before they were reinstated to the Champions League.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cafonline.com/en-US/NewsCenter/News/NewsDetails?id=H%2b74FOGEYXZf2OxECtqwlA%3d%3d|title=Disqualification of AS Vita Club|publisher=CAF|date=24 May 2016|access-date=17 December 2016|archive-date=12 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912151312/http://www.cafonline.com/en-US/NewsCenter/News/NewsDetails?id=H+74FOGEYXZf2OxECtqwlA==|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Cnote2 Begin}}
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cafonline.com/en-US/NewsCenter/News/NewsDetails?id=H%2b74FOGEYXZf2OxECtqwlA%3d%3d|title=Disqualification of AS Vita Club|publisher=CAF|date=24 May 2016}}</ref>
{{Cnote2 End}}


===Overall matches===
===Overall matches===
Line 280: Line 365:
|-
|-
| [[CAF Champions League]]
| [[CAF Champions League]]
| 111 || 57 || 28 || 26 || 175|| 96
| 200 || 57 || 28 || 26 || 175|| 96
|-
|-
| [[CAF Confederation Cup]]
| [[CAF Confederation Cup]]
Line 293: Line 378:
{{updated|9 March 2020}}
{{updated|9 March 2020}}


==CAF Association ranking for 2019/20==
==Club ranking==
The club ranking is used for seeding in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup. Pending equality in ranking points, the team receiving more points in the previous season is considered as the higher-ranked team.


The club ranking for the [[2024–25 CAF Champions League]] and the [[2024–25 CAF Confederation Cup]] is be based on results from each CAF club competition from the 2019–20 to the 2023–24 seasons.
;Legend
* '''CL''': [[CAF Champions League]]
* '''CC''': [[CAF Confederation Cup]]
* {{legend|#ccffcc|Associations ranked 1–12 and eligible to enter two teams in each CAF tournament (Champions League and Confederation Cup)}}


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
|-
! rowspan=2|Rank !! rowspan=2 width=200|Association !! colspan=2|2015<br>{{small|(× 1)}} !! colspan=2|2016<br>{{small|(× 2)}} !! colspan=2|2017<br>{{small|(× 3)}} !! colspan=2|2018<br>{{small|(× 4)}} !! colspan=2|2018–19<br>{{small|(× 5)}} !! rowspan=2|Total
! Rank !! width=200|Club !! 2019–20<br>{{small|(× 1)}} !! 2020–21<br>{{small|(× 2)}} !! 2021–22<br>{{small|(× 3)}} !! 2022–23<br>{{small|(× 4)}} !! 2023–24<br>{{small|(× 5)}} !! Total
|-
|-
|1||align=left|{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]]
! [[2015 CAF Champions League|CL]] !! [[2015 CAF Confederation Cup|CC]] !! [[2016 CAF Champions League|CL]] !! [[2016 CAF Confederation Cup|CC]] !! [[2017 CAF Champions League|CL]] !! [[2017 CAF Confederation Cup|CC]] !! [[2018 CAF Champions League|CL]] !! [[2018 CAF Confederation Cup|CC]] !! [[2018–19 CAF Champions League|CL]] !! [[2018–19 CAF Confederation Cup|CC]]
|6||6||5||6||6
|-bgcolor=#ccffcc
|'''{{#expr: 6*1 + 6*2 + 5*3 + 6*4 + 6*5}}'''
|1||align=left|{{fba|TUN}}
|-
|0||6||0||3||7||5||9||0||8||6
|2|| align="left" |{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Espérance Sportive de Tunis|Espérance de Tunis]]
|'''{{#expr: (0+6)*1 + (0+3)*2 + (7+5)*3 + (9+0)*4 + (8+6)*5}}'''
|3||4||3||4||5
|-bgcolor=#ccffcc
|'''{{#expr: 3*1 + 4*2 + 3*3 + 4*4 + 5*5}}'''
|2||align=left|{{fba|MAR}}
|2||0||4||4||6||3||5||7||5||7
|'''{{#expr:(2+0)*1 + (4+4)*2 + (6+3)*3 + (5+7)*4 + (5+7)*5}}'''
|-bgcolor=#ccffcc
|3||align=left|{{fba|EGY}}
|1||6||7||0||7||0.5||5||3||4||5
|'''{{#expr: (1+6)*1 + (7+0)*2 + (7+0.5)*3 + (5+3)*4 + (4+5)*5}}'''
|-bgcolor=#ccffcc
|4||align=left|{{fba|ALG}}
|8||0||0||4||4||2||5||2||5||1
|'''{{#expr: (8+0)*1 + (0+4)*2 + (4+2)*3 + (5+2)*4 + (5+1)*5}}'''
|-bgcolor=#ccffcc
|5||align=left|{{fba|COD}}
|6||0||0||5||1||5||3||4||5||0
|'''{{#expr: (6+0)*1 + (0+5)*2 + (1+5)*3 + (3+4)*4 + (5+0)*5}}'''
|-bgcolor=#ccffcc
|6||align=left|{{fba|RSA}}
|0||4||6||0||3||4.5||2||0||6||0
|'''{{#expr: (0+4)*1 + (6+0)*2 + (3+4.5)*3 + (2+0)*4 + (6+0)*5}}'''
|}
{{Updated|13 January 2020}}

==Club ranking==
Club ranking is used for seeding in the CAF competitions.

;Legend
* {{legend|#ccccff|Enter [[2019–20 CAF Champions League]]}}
* {{legend|#ffffcc|Enter [[2019–20 CAF Confederation Cup]]}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
|-
|3||align=left|{{flagicon|MAR}} [[Wydad AC|Wydad]]
! Rank !! width=200|Club !! 2015<br>{{small|(× 1)}} !! 2016<br>{{small|(× 2)}} !! 2017<br>{{small|(× 3)}} !! 2018<br>{{small|(× 4)}} !! 2018–19<br>{{small|(× 5)}} !! Total
|4||4||6||5||2
|-bgcolor=#ccccff
|'''{{#expr: 4*1 + 4*2 + 6*3 + 5*4 + 2*5}}'''
|1||align=left|{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Espérance Sportive de Tunis|Espérance de Tunis]]
|0.5||0||3||6||6
|'''{{#expr: 0.5*1 + 0*2 + 3*3 + 6*4 + 6*5}}'''
|-bgcolor=#ccccff
|2||align=left|{{flagicon|COD}} [[TP Mazembe]]
|6||5||5||3||4
|'''{{#expr: 6*1 + 5*2 + 5*3 + 3*4 + 4*5}}'''
|-bgcolor=#ccccff
|2||align=left|{{flagicon|MAR}} [[Wydad Casablanca]]
|0||4||6||3||5
|'''{{#expr: 0*1 + 4*2 + 6*3 + 3*4 + 5*5}}'''
|-bgcolor=#ccccff
|4||align=left|{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Al Ahly SC|Al-Ahly]]
|3||2||5||5||3
|'''{{#expr: 3*1 + 2*2 + 5*3 + 5*4 + 3*5}}'''
|-bgcolor=#ccccff
|5||align=left|{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Étoile Sportive du Sahel|Étoile du Sahel]]
|5||3||4||3||3
|'''{{#expr: 5*1 + 3*2 + 4*3 + 3*4 + 3*5}}'''
|-bgcolor=#ccccff
|6||align=left|{{flagicon|RSA}} Mamelodi Sundowns
|0||6||3||2||4
|'''{{#expr: 0*1 + 6*2 + 3*3 + 2*4 + 4*5}}'''
|-
|-
|4|| align="left" |{{flagicon|RSA}} Mamelodi Sundowns
|3||3||3||4||4
|'''{{#expr: 3*1 + 3*2 + 3*3 + 4*4 + 4*5}}'''
|}
|}
{{Updated|13 January 2020}}
{{Updated|06 October 2024}}


==Performance in FIFA Club World Cup==
==Performance in FIFA Club World Cup==
*'''[[FIFA Club World Cup]]: 1 appearance'''
*'''[[FIFA Club World Cup]]: 1 appearance'''


'''NB''': [[Mamelodi Sundowns]] is the first football club from Southern Africa to represent [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] in [[FIFA Club World Cup]], following their [[2016 CAF Champions League]] success.
Mamelodi was the first football club from Southern Africa to represent [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] in [[FIFA Club World Cup]], following their [[2016 CAF Champions League]] success.Sundowns is yet again scheduled to participate in another tournament in the United states in 2025.


{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! Year
! Year
! Finish
! Best finish
! P !! W !! D !! L !! GF !! GA !! GD !! Pst
! P !! W !! D !! L !! GF !! GA !! GD !! Pst
|-
|-
| '''[[FIFA Club World Cup 2016|2016]]'''
| '''[[FIFA Club World Cup 2016|2016]]'''
| 6th place
| '''[[FIFA Club World Cup|6th Places]]'''
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 6 || -5 || 0
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 6 || -5 || 0
|-
|-
Line 399: Line 434:
!rowspan="1"|Nat
!rowspan="1"|Nat
!rowspan="1"|Name
!rowspan="1"|Name
!rowspan="1"|Records
!rowspan="1"|Record
|-
|Most trophies won – Player
|{{flagicon|Zambia}}
|'''[[Kennedy Mweene]]'''
|'''12'''
|-
|Most Trophies Won – Coach
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|'''[[Pitso Mosimane]]'''
|'''11'''
|-
|-
|Most starts
|Most starts
Line 409: Line 454:
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|'''[[Daniel Mudau]]'''
|'''[[Daniel Mudau]]'''
|'''172'''
|'''172'''
|-
|-
|Most capped player
|Most capped player
Line 428: Line 473:
|Record victory
|Record victory
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|vs '''[[Powerlines FC]]'''
|vs '''[[Powerlines F.C.|Powerlines]]'''
|'''24–0 (4 March 2012,<br>[[Nedbank Cup]])'''
|'''24–0 (4 March 2012, [[2011–12 Nedbank Cup#Round of 32|Nedbank Cup]])'''
|-
|-
|Inter-record victory
|Inter-record victory
|{{flagicon|Egypt}}
|
|vs '''[[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]]'''
|
|'''5–0 (6 April 2019, [[2018–19 CAF Champions League knockout stage#QF2.1|CAF Champions League]])'''
|
|-
|-
|Record defeat
|Record defeat
Line 443: Line 488:
Source:<ref name="Mamelodi Sundowns">{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/psl-clubs/mamelodi-sundowns|title=Mamelodi Sundowns|publisher=Kickoff.com|access-date=2013-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106160614/http://www.kickoff.com/psl-clubs/mamelodi-sundowns|archive-date=6 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Source:<ref name="Mamelodi Sundowns">{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/psl-clubs/mamelodi-sundowns|title=Mamelodi Sundowns|publisher=Kickoff.com|access-date=2013-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106160614/http://www.kickoff.com/psl-clubs/mamelodi-sundowns|archive-date=6 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===Premier Soccer League record===
===[[South African Premier Division|Premiership]] record===
{| Class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{| Class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
!rowspan="2"|Season
!rowspan="2"|Season
Line 449: Line 494:
!colspan="9"|Record
!colspan="9"|Record
|-
|-
!P!!W!!D!!L!!F!!A!!GD!!Pst!!Nedbank Cup
!P!!W!!D!!L!!F!!A!!GD!!Pts
|-
|-
|'''[[1996–97 Premier Soccer League|1996–97]]'''||'''[[1996–97 Premier Soccer League|6th
|'''[[1996–97 Premier Soccer League|1996–97]]'''||'''[[1996–97 Premier Soccer League|6th
Line 463: Line 508:
|-
|-
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|'''[[1997–98 Premier Soccer League|1997–98]]'''||'''[[1997–98 Premier Soccer League|CHAMPIONS]]'''
|'''[[1997–98 Premier Soccer League|1997–98]]'''||'''[[1997–98 Premier Soccer League|Champions]]'''
|34
|34
|19
|19
Line 474: Line 519:
|-
|-
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|'''[[1998–99 Premier Soccer League|1998–99]]'''||'''[[1998–99 Premier Soccer League|CHAMPIONS]]'''
|'''[[1998–99 Premier Soccer League|1998–99]]'''||'''[[1998–99 Premier Soccer League|Champions]]'''
|34
|34
|23
|23
Line 485: Line 530:
|-
|-
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|'''[[1999–00 Premier Soccer League|1999–00]]'''||'''[[1999–00 Premier Soccer League|CHAMPIONS]]'''
|'''[[1999–00 Premier Soccer League|1999–00]]'''||'''[[1999–00 Premier Soccer League|Champions]]'''
|34
|34
|23
|23
Line 546: Line 591:
|-
|-
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|'''[[2005–06 Premier Soccer League|2005–06]]'''||'''[[2005–06 Premier Soccer League|CHAMPIONS]]'''
|'''[[2005–06 Premier Soccer League|2005–06]]'''||'''[[2005–06 Premier Soccer League|Champions]]'''
|30
|30
|16
|16
Line 557: Line 602:
|-
|-
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|'''[[2006–07 Premier Soccer League|2006–07]]'''||'''[[2006–07 Premier Soccer League|CHAMPIONS]]'''
|'''[[2006–07 Premier Soccer League|2006–07]]'''||'''[[2006–07 Premier Soccer League|Champions]]'''
|30
|30
|18
|18
Line 629: Line 674:
|-
|-
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|'''[[2013–14 Premier Soccer League|2013–14]]'''||'''[[2013–14 Premier Soccer League|CHAMPIONS]]'''
|'''[[2013–14 Premier Soccer League|2013–14]]'''||'''[[2013–14 Premier Soccer League|Champions]]'''
|30
|30
|20
|20
Line 651: Line 696:
|-
|-
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|'''[[2015–16 Premier Soccer League|2015–16]]'''||'''[[2015–16 Premier Soccer League|CHAMPIONS]]'''
|'''[[2015–16 Premier Soccer League|2015–16]]'''||'''[[2015–16 Premier Soccer League|Champions]]'''
|30
|30
|22
|22
Line 673: Line 718:
|-
|-
|- style="background:gold;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|'''[[2017–18 South African Premier Division|2017–18]]'''||'''[[2017–18 South African Premier Division|CHAMPIONS]]'''
|'''[[2017–18 South African Premier Division|2017–18]]'''||'''[[2017–18 South African Premier Division|Champions]]'''
|30
|30
|18
|18
Line 684: Line 729:
|-
|-
|- style="background:Gold;"
|- style="background:Gold;"
|'''[[2018–19 South African Premier Division|2018–19]]'''||'''[[2018–19 South African Premier Division|CHAMPIONS]]'''
|'''[[2018–19 South African Premier Division|2018–19]]'''||'''[[2018–19 South African Premier Division|Champions]]'''
|30
|30
|16
|16
Line 695: Line 740:
|-
|-
|- style="background:Gold;"
|- style="background:Gold;"
|'''[[2018–19 South African Premier Division|2019–20]]'''||'''[[2019–20 South African Premier Division|CHAMPIONS]]'''
|'''[[2018–19 South African Premier Division|2019–20]]'''||'''[[2019–20 South African Premier Division|Champions]]'''
|30
|30
|17
|17
Line 705: Line 750:
|59
|59
|-
|-
|-style="background:orange"
|-style="background:Gold;"
|[[2020-21 South African Premier Division|2020-21]]
|'''[[2020–21 South African Premier Division|2020–21]]'''||'''[[2020–21 South African Premier Division|Champions]]'''
|30
|''In Progress''
|19
|10
|1
|1
|49
|14
|35
|67
|-style="background:Gold;"
|'''[[2021–22 South African Premier Division|2021–22]]'''||'''[[2021–22 South African Premier Division|Champions]]'''
|30
|19
|8
|3
|56
|20
|36
|65
|- style="background:Gold;"
|'''[[2022–23 South African Premier Division|2022–23]]'''||'''[[2022–23 South African Premier Division|Champions]]'''
|30
|21
|7
|2
|52
|13
|39
|70
|- style="background:Gold;"
|'''[[2023–24 South African Premier Division|2023–24]]'''||'''[[2023–24 South African Premier Division|Champions]]'''
|30
|22
|7
|1
|1
|0
|51
|0
|10
|0
|41
|0
|73
|0
|3

|-
|- style="background:yellow;"
|'''Total'''
|'''10 Titles'''
|'''745'''
|'''386'''
|'''197'''
|'''162'''
|'''1101'''
|'''630'''
|'''471'''
|'''1355'''
|}
|}


Line 734: Line 795:
* Gold = '''Champions'''
* Gold = '''Champions'''
* Silver = '''Runner up'''
* Silver = '''Runner up'''
{{updated|9 March 2020}}

==Management and staff==
{|Class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
!Position
!Nat.
!Name
|-
|Owner/President
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|[[Patrice Motsepe]]
|-
|General Manager
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|
|-
|Directors
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|Rejoice Simelane, Andrew Matube, Andre Wilkens, Sandile Langa
|-
|Executive: Legal & Commercial
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|Yogesh Singh
|-
|Supporter Mobilisation Manager
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
| Alex Shakoane
|-
|Supporter Co-ordination Manager
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
| [[Daniel Mudau]]
|-
|Finance Manager
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|
|-
|Administration Manager
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|Belinda Ndlovu
|-
|Facilities & Projects Manager
|
|
|-
|Marketing & Special Projects Manager
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|
|-
|Head of Security
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|Bheki Cele
|-
|Communications Co-ordinator
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
| Mashupie Nkgadima
|-
|Supporters Assistant
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|Daisy Kgopa
|-
|Accountant
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|Jacob Molusi
|-
|HR and Administration
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|Boniface Motsepe
|-
|Receptionist
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|Tina Lesita
|}

==Technical team==
{|Class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
!Position
!Nat
!Name
|-
|Head of Technical Department
|{{flagicon|Spain}}
|[[José Ramón Alexanko]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jose Ramon Alexanko gets Mamelodi Sundowns promotion to technical director|url=https://www.kickoff.com/news/articles/south-africa-news/categories/news/premiership/jose-ramon-alexanko-gets-mamelodi-sundowns-promotion-to-technical-director/678599|date=2020-05-21|website=Kick Off|access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref>
|-
|Joint Head Coaches
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|[[Manqoba Mngqithi]]
Rulani Mokeona
|-
|Senior Coach
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|[[Steve Komphela]]
|-
|Sport Scientist
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|Vacant
|-
|Goalkeeper Coach
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|Wendell Robinson
|-
|Head of Youth Development
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|Sam Mbatha
|}


Source:<ref>Kickoff PSL Yearbook 2013/2014, p. 28.</ref>
Source:<ref>Kickoff PSL Yearbook 2013/2014, p. 28.</ref>


==Players==
==Players==
{{updated|31 August 2024}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sundownsfc.co.za/mamelodi-sundowns-2022-23-squad/|title=Mamelodi Sundowns 2022–23 squad|work=Club homepage|access-date=23 August 2023|archive-date=4 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104163448/https://sundownsfc.co.za/mamelodi-sundowns-2022-23-squad/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{updated|2 November 2020}}
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|other=|no= 1|nat=ZAM|pos=GK|name=[[Kennedy Mweene]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 1|nat=UGA|pos=GK|name=[[Denis Onyango]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no= 3|nat=BRA|pos=DF|name=[[Ricardo Nascimento (Brazilian footballer)|Ricardo Nascimento]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 3|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=[[Thembinkosi Lorch]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no= 4|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=[[Tebogo Langerman]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 4|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Teboho Mokoena (soccer, born 1997)|Teboho Mokoena]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no= 5|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=[[Mosa Lebusa]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 5|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=[[Mosa Lebusa]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no= 6|nat=KEN|pos=DF|name=[[Brian Onyango]]}}
{{fs player|no= 6|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Aubrey Modiba]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no= 7|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Lyle Lakay]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 7|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=Lesiba Nku}}
{{Fs player|no= 8|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Hlompho Kekana]]|other=<small>[[Captain (association football)|captain]]</small>}}
{{Fs player|no= 8|nat=BOL|pos=MF|name=[[Erwin Saavedra]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no= 9|nat=URU|pos=FW|name=[[Mauricio Affonso]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 9|nat=BRA|pos=FW|name=[[Arthur Sales]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=10|nat=URU|pos=FW|name=[[Gastón Sirino]]}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=BRA|pos=FW|name=[[Lucas Ribeiro Costa]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=11|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=[[Kermit Erasmus]]}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=CHI|pos=MF|name=[[Marcelo Allende]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=12|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[George Maluleka]]}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Neo Maema]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=13|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Samuel Mabunda|Tiyani Mabunda]]}}
{{Fs player|no=13|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=[[Iqraam Rayners]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=14|nat=UGA|pos=GK|name=[[Denis Onyango]]}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Terrence Mashego]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=15|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Andile Jali]]}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Bathusi Aubaas]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=18|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Themba Zwane]]}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=[[Tashreeq Matthews]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=20|nat=RSA|pos=GK|name=[[Ricardo Goss]]}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Themba Zwane]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=21|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Sphelele Mkhulise]]}}
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=[[Kobamelo Kodisang]]}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=[[Grant Kekana]]}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=22|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=[[Lesedi Kapinga]]}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Sphelele Mkhulise]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=23|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Haashim Domingo]]}}
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=[[Rushine De Reuck]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=24|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Sibusiso Vilakazi]]}}
{{Fs player|no=24|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Sipho Mbule]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=25|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=[[Khuliso Mudau]]}}
{{Fs player|no=25|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=[[Khuliso Mudau]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=26|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Keletso Makgalwa]]}}
{{Fs player|no=26|nat=RSA|pos=GK|name=[[Reyaad Pieterse]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=27|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=[[Thapelo Morena]]}}
{{Fs player|no=27|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=[[Thapelo Morena]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=29|nat=CIV|pos=DF|name=[[Soumahoro Bangaly]]}}
{{Fs player|no=30|nat=RSA|pos=GK|name=[[Ronwen Williams]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=30|nat=RSA|pos=GK|name=[[Reyaad Pieterse]]}}
{{Fs player|no=33|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=[[Thapelo Maseko]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=31|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Grant Margeman]]}}
{{Fs player|no=34|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Mothobi Mvala]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=33|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=[[Lebohang Maboe]]}}
{{Fs player|no=36|nat=RSA|pos=GK|name=[[Jody February]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=36|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=[[Promise Mkhuma]]}}
{{Fs player|no=37|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=[[Kegan Johannes]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=38|nat=NAM|pos=FW|name=[[Peter Shalulile]]}}
{{Fs player|no=38|nat=NAM|pos=FW|name=[[Peter Shalulile]]}}
{{fs player|other=|no=37|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Aubrey Modiba]]}}
{{Fs player|no=39|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Lebohang Maboe]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=40|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=[[Rivaldo Coetzee]]}}
{{Fs player|no=40|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=[[Rivaldo Coetzee]]}}
{{Fs player|other=|no=41|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Mothobi Mvala]]}}
{{Fs player|no=42|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=Malibongwe Khoza}}
{{Fs player|other=|no= |nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=[[Gift Motupa]]}}
{{Fs player|no=43|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=Kutlwano Lethlaku}}
{{Fs player|no=48|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=Asekho Tiwani}}
{{Fs player|no=50|nat=RSA|pos=GK|name=[[Sanele Tshabalala]]}}
{{Fs end}}

=== Out on loan ===
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ARG|pos=MF|name=[[Matías Esquivel]]|other=at [[Talleres de Córdoba|Talleres]] until 30 June 2025}}
{{Fs end}}
{{Fs end}}


==Shirt sponsor & kit manufacturer==
==Shirt sponsor & kit manufacturer==

{{clear right}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed plainrowheaders" style="width: 25%; text-align: centr; margin-left:1em; float: left"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;float:center"
|-
|-
! style="background:#fff203; color:#ffffff; border:2px solid #4169e1;"|Period
! colspan=3 | Kit suppliers
! style="background:#fff203; color:#ffffff; border:2px solid #4169e1;"|Kit manufacturer
! style="background:#fff203; color:#ffffff; border:2px solid #4169e1;"|Shirt sponsor
! style="background:#fff203; color:#ffffff; border:2px solid #4169e1;"|Sleeve sponsor
|-
|-
| 1996–2002
! scope="col" |Dates
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Adidas]]
! scope="col" |Supplier
|
|
|-
|-
| 1994–1996
| scope="row" |1990–1994
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Adidas]]
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Puma (brand)|Puma]]
|
|
|-
|-
| 2002–2008
| scope="row" |1994–1996
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Puma SE]]
|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Diadora]]
|
|
|-
|-
| 2008–2016
| scope="row" |2004–2008
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Diadora]]
|-
| scope="row" |2008–2016
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]
| rowspan="2" |{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Ubuntu-Botho Investments]]
|
|-
| 2016–present
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Puma (brand)|Puma]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mamelodi Sundowns sign lucrative long-term deal with Puma |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2016-07-07-mamelodi-sundowns-sign-lucrative-long-term-deal-with-puma/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=TimesLIVE|archive-date=13 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513120925/https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2016-07-07-mamelodi-sundowns-sign-lucrative-long-term-deal-with-puma/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Elena |date=2017-10-17 |title=Mamelodi Sundowns net Hyundai deal |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mamelodi-sundowns-net-hyundai-deal/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=SportsPro|archive-date=8 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108165437/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mamelodi-sundowns-net-hyundai-deal |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|-
| scope="row" |2016–Present
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Puma SE]]
|}
|}


{{clear}}
{{Clear}}


==References==
==References==
Line 911: Line 886:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official website|http://sundownsfc.co.za/}}
*{{Official website|https://sundownsfc.co.za/}}
*[http://www.psl.co.za Premier Soccer League]
*[http://www.psl.co.za Premier Soccer League]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081216162648/http://www.psl.co.za/team.asp?team=sundowns PSL Club Info]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081216162648/http://www.psl.co.za/team.asp?team=sundowns PSL Club Info]
*[http://www.safa.net South African Football Association]
*[http://www.safa.net South African Football Association]
*[http://cafonline.com Confederation of African Football]
*[http://cafonline.com Confederation of African Football]
*[http://cafonline.com Confederation of African Football]
*[https://www.flashscore.co.za/team/mamelodi-sundowns/lxZ6Bzh6/results/ Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. results]


{{Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.}}
{{Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.}}
{{Mamelodi Sundowns}}
{{Premier Soccer League teamlist}}
{{CAF Champions League winners}}
{{CAF Champions League winners}}
{{CAF Super Cup winners}}
{{CAF Super Cup winners}}
{{Premier Soccer League teamlist}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.| ]]
[[Category:Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.| ]]
[[Category:Soccer clubs in South Africa]]
[[Category:Soccer clubs in Pretoria]]
[[Category:Soccer clubs in Pretoria]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1970]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1970]]
[[Category:Premier Soccer League clubs]]
[[Category:Premier Soccer League clubs]]
[[Category:1970 establishments in South Africa]]
[[Category:1970 establishments in South Africa]]
[[Category:CAF Champions League–winning clubs]]
[[Category:CAF Super Cup winning clubs]]

Latest revision as of 11:13, 24 November 2024

Mamelodi Sundowns
Full nameMamelodi Sundowns Football Club
Nickname(s)
  • Bafana ba Style
  • Masandawana
  • Ka bo Yellow
  • Shoe Shine and Piano
  • The Brazilians
Short name
  • Sundowns
  • SUN
  • MSD
Founded1970; 54 years ago (1970)
GroundLoftus Versfeld Stadium
Capacity51,762
OwnerPatrice Motsepe
ChairmanTlhopie Motsepe
Head coachManqoba Mngqithi
LeagueBetway Premiership
2023–241st (champions)
Websitehttps://sundownsfc.co.za/
Current season
Active departments of
Mamelodi Sundowns
Football (Men's) Football B (Men's)
Football (Women's) Football B (Women's)

Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club (simply known as Sundowns) is a South African professional football club based in Mamelodi, Pretoria in the Gauteng province that plays in the Premier Soccer League, the first tier of South African football league system. Founded in the 1970s, the team plays its home games in the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

It is currently[when?] the most successful football club in the South African PSL era. They won the 2016 CAF Champions League, 2017 CAF Super Cup and were voted the 2016 CAF Club of the Year. Domestically, they have also won the Nedbank Cup six times, the MTN 8 four times and the Telkom Knockout four times. They are the first South African team to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they finished in 6th place. In 2021, Sundowns became the first club in Africa to win both CAF Champions League and CAF Women's Champions League[1] titles. In 2023, Sundowns was crowned the champions of the first African Football League.

Sundowns is owned by South African business magnate Patrice Motsepe and is one of the most valuable clubs in Africa, by market value.[2] The club takes pride in its unique style of attacking play, locally dubbed "Shoe Shine & Piano" which includes combinations of quick, short passes on the ground and this is likened to the Spanish Tiki-taka and Total Football. Over the years, this style of play has been reflected in its Youth teams and women's football team.

History

[edit]

1964–1970: Beginnings

[edit]

Sundowns Football Club originated around Marabastad, a cosmopolitan area north west of the Pretoria CBD in the early sixties, where it was formed by a group of youngsters residing in the area. The club mentions individuals such as Frank "ABC" Motsepe, Roy Fischer, Ingle Singh and Bernard Hartze and as part of its founding young stars.[3] The newly established team was named Marabastad Sundowns after an amateur club called Sundowns, which existed in the 1940s, also formed in Marabastad.[4]

Headquarters of Mamelodi Sundowns FC in Chloorkop in Pretoria.

In 1969, Ingle "Jinx" Sigh, one of the founding players for Sundowns and later owner of both Marabastad Sundowns and Pretoria City (which later became SuperSport United F.C.),[5] decided to sell the club to Dr. Bonny Sebotsane, Dr. Motsiri Itsweng and philanthropist Joseph Ntshimane "Fish" Kekana. The club was moved to the nearby township of Mamelodi and was officially established and renamed as Mamelodi Sundowns in 1970.[6]

1970–1988: Zola Mahobe, Stan Tshabalala and the "Mr Cool" Years

[edit]

The club was affiliated with the Federation Professional Football League in 1973 and in the same year reached the finals of the Coca-Cola Cup, where they played against Berea United and lost 5–3.

In 1978, the Federation Professional League threw their weight behind the then National Professional Soccer League. This meant the end of the Federation Professional League and the subsequent relegation of Sundowns to the second division. For five years 'Downs battled to gain promotion and managed to earn its place in NPSL in 1983, but in their first season in top-flight football, they found the going difficult and during that period the Sundowns' management resolved to disband the club, until new owner Zola Mahobe came on board in 1985.[3]

In the same year, 1985, South African football was the first sport in the country to become non-racial and the National Soccer League was formed, incorporating the top clubs in the country, including Sundowns. Dave Barber was in charge at the start of the new National Soccer League era but his tenure came to a swift end after the club found itself at the foot of the table and Zola Mahobe appointed Walter da Silver. Da Silver later quit after 5 games before the end of the season, claiming that Mahobe was interfering in team selection.[7]

Zola Mahobe appointed Ben Segale as the coach, and the team ended the 1985 season in a flourish by winning the last 4 games to finish 11th place, which was a big improvement on their previous two top flight seasons. Under Mahobe, Sundowns fortunes changed for the better as they began to challenge for top honours in the domestic league. The big spending Sundowns boss recruited the services of elite South African footballers on a quest for supremacy, and changed their kit to resemble that of the Brazilian national team, earning them their nickname, "the Brazilians".[8]

Mahobe went to Soweto to acquire the services of the highly rated coach Stanley "Screamer" Tshabalala, who was assisting Blackpool at the time, to lead the ambitious Sundowns team. Under the tutelage of Screamer Tshabalala, Sundowns played an entertaining and effective brand of football which became known as "The Shoe Shine and Piano." By the end of 1986, the club had won the Mainstay cup in a 1-0 brawl against Jomo Cosmos in Ellis Park and goalkeeper, Mark Anderson was voted Footballer of the Year as new players kept arriving. The next season, they finished third in the league, just three points behind champions Cosmos.

Sundowns were flying in 1988, with a victory against cross-town rivals Arcadia in the final of BP Top Eight Cup, and then later beating them again for the Ohlsson's Challenge Cup.[9] Despite winning two trophies that year, trouble was brewing in the camp when players, led by Anderson demanded the resignation of coach Tshabalala and his assistant Trot Moloto. Stan resigned from his position, with a record of 54 wins, 29 draws and 25 losses. Captain, Mike Ntombela took charge over the club for four games while the management looked for a coach.[7]

In the same year, the ownership of the club fell into the hands of Standard Bank, which repossessed the club from Zola Mahobe. The club went into liquidation and the football family Angelo and Natasha Tsichlas spoke to the bank and saved the club. They then formed a company with Abe Krok and bought 100% of the club.

1988–1995: Tsichlas/Krok leadership and First Championship

[edit]

Chilean coach, Mario Tuane and his assistant Angelo Tsichlas took charge of a club at the top of the table and led it to its first league championship. There were rapturous celebrations at HM Pitje Stadium after Sundowns gained an unassailable point lead over Cosmos. However, the club could not defend the Ohlsson's challenge and BP Top Eight crowns and the Tuane era came to an end, with Angelo Tsichlas taking charge of the team as a caretaker coach until the club appointed Trott Moloto, and shortly after Stan Lapot. In the '89 season, Sundowns went on a 7-game unbeaten run in the league, but could only win one of their last 6 matches in the league, which ended the club's season at position 5.

This prompted the return of Stan Tshabalala, who took the team to the top of the table again in 1990. Sundowns only lost 2 league games during the campaign and won its first treble, managing to win the Top Eight Cup and the JPS Knockout Cup against Orlando Pirates with a 2–1 scoreline in the final.

This success was followed by a season of heartbreaking losses in 1991, with the team finishing second place in the league and failing to get into any cup final. 1992 was similar under Augusto Palacios, when Sundowns lost both the Top Eight cup and Castle Challenge to rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates respectively, finishing 6th in the league.

Jeff Butler was appointed as the coach in 1993 after being turfed in a dispute with Bafana Bafana. He led the club to a 3rd league title win in a close 3 point race against Moroka Swallows and a 4th place league finish in the following year. Sundowns qualified for a continental title for the first time in the 1994 African Cup of Champions Clubs but lost to AS Vita Club in the second round.

1995–2004: Premier Soccer League and the Ted Dimitru era

[edit]

National Soccer League was replaced by Premier Soccer League for the 1996–97 season. After a flurry of coaches and players came, went, and a third Stan Tshabalala stint in unsuccessful '96 and '97 campaigns, Sundowns signed Raphael Chukwu from Nigerian club, Shooting Stars S.C. and appointed Ted Dumitru as head coach in July 1997. Raphael's partnership with Daniel Mudau proved to be prolific in front of posts.[10] Backed up by a super team of standout players such as Joel Masilela, Alex Bapela, Isaac Shai, Roger Feutmba and goalkeeper John Tlale amongst others, Sundowns went on to win three consecutive league titles from 1998 to 2000 as well as being Bob Save Super Bowl winners in 1998 and Rothmans Cup winners in 1999.

In 2001, Sundowns focused their efforts on continental glory and became only the second South African team to reach the prestigious CAF Champions League Final when they defeated Petro Atlético in the semifinals. The club played the 2001 CAF Champions League Final where they were defeated 4–1 on aggregate by Egyptian club Al Ahly.

The club underwent a period of rebuilding after the 1999/2000 season, enduring a period of bad performances in league and cup matches. Sundowns finished 3rd in the 2001/02 season, 10th in the 2002/03 season, 5th in the 2003/04 season and again 3rd in the 2004/05 season.

2004-present: Patrice Motsepe ownership

[edit]

In 2004, mining magnate Patrice Motsepe bought a 51% share in the club and later took total control of the club by buying the remaining shares, thus becoming the sole owner and shareholder of the club. Under their new owner, Sundowns picked up their first piece of silverware for six years in May 2006 when co-coaches Miguel Gamondi and Neil Tovey oversaw Sundowns' triumph in the PSL, the seventh league title in their history.

After a slow start to the 2006–07 season, Gamondi and Tovey were relieved of their positions, and Gordon Igesund took over as head coach. Under Igesund, Sundowns defended their title in emphatic style, running away with the trophy. They failed to win the 'double', losing to Ajax Cape Town in the 2007 ABSA Cup final.

A stuttering start to the 2009–10 season saw an impressive run through the second half of the season which propelled the club to second position in the final league standings. The club nevertheless parted ways with coach Hristo Stoichkov.

In the 2010–11 season, Antonio Lopez Habas, who was the assistant coach under Stoichkov, took over the reins of the senior team. Sundowns made its best ever start to a League season and topped the league standings at the end of the first round. The second round of the league proved more competitive and Sundowns were in the hunt for the league title until the second last match. Habas resigned in February, citing personal reasons and went back to Spain. Assistant coach Ian Gorowa was appointed as interim head coach.

In 2011, highly rated Dutch tactician Johan Neeskens was appointed as the coach of Sundowns in a bid to awaken the sleeping giant that hadn't won silverware since winning the 2008 Nedbank cup. The Dutch-born coach gave a number of young players from the development team opportunities to impress in the senior team. Even though the Dutch mentor made the team play free-flowing and an entertaining brand of football, his failure to capture silverware led to his demise. On 4 March 2012, under the leadership of Neeskens, the team set a remarkable South African record in the Nedbank Cup when they beat Powerlines by a score of 24–0.[11][12] The club went on to lose the 2012 Nedbank final 2–1 to Tshwane rivals Supersport United. His coaching stint at Chloorkop was short-lived as the impatient and demanding Sundowns supporters exerted pressure to the management to sack him. When the team failed to win the 2012 Telkom Knockout final against Bloemfontein Celtic, Neeskens got sacked as the head coach of the Tshwane-based side as the team was also languishing in the relegation zone.

2012–2019: The Pitso Mosimane Era

[edit]

On 2 December 2012, Pitso Mosimane took over as head coach and guided a turbulent Sundowns season to 9th place in the league. The 2013/14 season began on a better note, with a 6-game unbeaten streak including a 7-1 thumping of AmaZulu F.C. at home. However, in the mid-season, team performances became inconsistent and Sundowns found itself 11 points behind log leaders Kaizer Chiefs. There was still positivity in the camp however, and Mosimane was confident about a good end to the season. On 9 March 2014, Sundowns began an 11-game unbeaten streak that would end in an emphatic league title win after a 6-year trophy drought.[13]

The acquisition of Khama Billiat in August 2013, Keagan Dolly and Leonardo Castro in the 2014/15 season bolstered the Sundowns attacking order that was backed by Hlompho Kekana, Samuel Mabunda, Themba Zwane, Teko Modise and academy wonder Percy Tau. The team finished 2nd in the league in the 2014 season, but won both the Nedbank Cup and Telkom Knockout. This would begin an era dominance in the league and Sundowns won the 2015/2016, 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 league titles on the trot. 2015/16 was a record breaking season, which saw Sundowns become the first team to break the 70 point ceiling in the league since the South African top flight league became a 16-team league system.

In 2017, Mosimane oversaw Sundowns' first CAF Champions League win, which was the goal of owner Patrice Motsepe when he bought the club in 2004. Sundowns were eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the 2016 CAF Champions League, but were placed back in the competition after Congolese team Vita Club were disqualified from the competition for fielding a suspended player.[14] In their journey for gold, Sundowns opened their campaign with an annulled 2–0 win against Algeria's ES Setif courtesy of Mabunda and Khama Billiat goals.

2017 CAF Champions Win

[edit]

On 26 June 2016, they faced Nigeria club Enyimba International F.C. at Lucas Moripe Stadium. They defeated the Nigerians 2–1 with goals from Leonardo Castro and Wayne Arendse in the 42nd and 78th minutes, respectively. Their good form continued to Egypt, defeating Egyptian club Zamalek SC with a goal from Mabunda in the 17th minute, followed by an Ibrahim leveller in the 36th minute, prevailing with a 66th-minute goal from their star player Khama Billiat, which ended the match in favour of the Brazilians 2–1. They repeated this in the 2nd leg by beating the Egyptian club 1–0 with an own goal from Ali Gabr in the 79th minute. The win assured 'Downs a place in the semifinals, but they needed to end their group stage campaign on a high away against Enyimba. Playing with young players, 'Downs succumbed to their first defeat by 3–1 on a rainy slippery field.

In the semifinals, they faced Zambian team ZESCO United at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, where they lost to quick succession goals just a minute apart in the 54th and 56th minutes from Mwanza. Billiat netted a goal in the 86th minute to bring the score to 2–1, leaving 'Downs with much to do in the second leg. In the second leg, 'Downs did what was needed of them by winning the match 2–0, thanks to a goal from Liberian Anthony Laffor in the 5th minute and the young Percy Tau in the 64th minute. Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. reached the final of the competition for the first time since the 2001 CAF Champions League final (where they lost to Al Ahly SC). They also reached the 4th final for South African clubs (1 win and 2 losses).

In the final, they beat Egypt's Zamalek SC 3–1 on aggregate, claiming their first-ever continental title and becoming only the second South African team to be crowned champions of Africa, after Orlando Pirates.[14]

Starting lineup for CAF Champions League 2016 Final, 1st leg

Sundowns went on to win the 2017 CAF Super Cup in Loftus Versfeld Stadium by defeating TP Mazembe from the DRC in the same season.[15] The club made the bold signings of Gaston Sirino from Bolivar and an ailing Rivaldo Coetzee in 2018. Despite losing a number of valuable players in the previous season, the club maintained good performances in domestic cups, winning a domestic treble (league, Telkom Knockout and Nedbank Cup) in the 2018/19 season.

2020-present: Rhulani Mokwena & Manqoba Mngqithi

[edit]
Mamelodi Sundowns FC in a friendly game against Go Ahead Eagles in 2023.

In 2020, the team underwent changes in coaching personnel for the first time in almost 7 years and an influx of new players after the departure of Pitso Mosimane. The club appointed former assistant coaches, Rhulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi as joint Head Coaches with the opinion of Manqoba Mngithi prevailing when there isn't consensus.[16] The club's board was keen on appointing South African coaches, and later appointed Steve Komphela as a senior coach to assist the coaching pair. The trio saw off a season which saw the rise of new top scoring marksman, Peter Shalulile and standout signings such as Neo Maema, Rushine De Reuck amongst many others. The club celebrated a successful 5th consecutive league win and a Nedbank Cup which showed that the club was heading in a good direction.

2021/22 was another record breaking league season played under Covid restrictions.

Honours

[edit]
Type Competition Titles Seasons
Domestic Premier Soccer League / National Soccer League 17 Winners (17): 1988, 1989–90, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
Runners-up (5): 1990–91, 1994–95, 2009–10, 2014–15, 2016–17
Bob Save Superbowl/Nedbank Cup 6 Winners (6): 1986, 1998, 2008, 2014–15, 2019–20, 2021–22
Runners-up (7): 1989, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2011–12 [2023]
Telkom Knockout 4 Winners (4): 1990, 1999, 2015, 2019
Runners-up (5): 1997, 1998, 2007, [[2012 Telkom Knockout|2012] [2024]
MTN 8 4 Winners (4): 1988, 1990, 2007, 2021
Runners-up (7): 1992, 1994, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2016, 2023
African CAF Champions League 1 Winners (1): 2016
Runners-up (1): 2001
CAF Super Cup 1 Winners (1): 2017
African Football League 1 Winners (1): 2023

[17]

  •   Record
  • S Shared record

Awards

[edit]
  • African Club of the Year 2016
  • South African team of the year 2016
  • PSL team of the season 2015–16, 2013–14

Friendly cup competitions

[edit]

Shell Helix Cup Winners : 2018

Telkom Charity Cup

  • Winners(5) : 1991, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006

Carling Black Label Cup

Ohlsson's Challenge Cup

  • Winners : 1988

Performance in CAF Competitions

[edit]

NB: South African football clubs started participating in CAF Competitions in 1993, after 16 years of being banned from FIFA due to the apartheid system. The ban extended from 1976 to 1992.

The club has 1 appearance in African Cup of Champions Clubs 1994 and 16 appearances in CAF Champions League from 1999 until now. It has also recorded the biggest victory in the CAF Champions League by defeating Seychelles side Côte d’Or, 11–1 at home and 16–1 on aggregate in the first round of the 2019–2020 season.[18]

Year Best finish
1994 Second Round
1999 Play-offs
2000 Group Stage (Top 4)
2001 Finalist
2006 First Round
2007 Play-offs
2008 Play-offs
2015 First Round
2016 Champion
2017 Quarter finals
2018 Group Stage
2018–19 Semi finals
2019–20 Quarter finals
2020–21 Quarter finals
2021–22 Quarter finals
2022–23 Semi finals
2023–24 Semi finals
Year Best finish
CAF Confederation Cup CAF Super Cup
2007 Group Stage DNQ
2008 Play-offs DNQ
2009 Second Round DNQ
2016 Play-offs DNQ
2017 DNQ Champion
Year Best finish
CAF Cup African Cup winners' Cup
1996 Second Round DNQ
1998 DNQ Second Round
2003 Second Round DNQ
Note
  • DNQ – Did not qualify
  • CAF announced on 24 May 2016 that Mamelodi Sundowns won on walkover after AS Vita Club were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player in their preliminary round tie against Mafunzo. Mamelodi Sundowns played in the Confederation Cup play-off round before they were reinstated to the Champions League.[19]

Overall matches

[edit]
Competition P W D L GF GA
CAF Cup 8 4 1 3 11 7
African Cup Winners' Cup 4 2 1 1 7 3
CAF Champions League 200 57 28 26 175 96
CAF Confederation Cup 16 7 2 7 25 24
CAF Super Cup 1 1 0 0 1 0
Total 140 71 32 37 220 130
As of 9 March 2020

Club ranking

[edit]

The club ranking is used for seeding in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup. Pending equality in ranking points, the team receiving more points in the previous season is considered as the higher-ranked team.

The club ranking for the 2024–25 CAF Champions League and the 2024–25 CAF Confederation Cup is be based on results from each CAF club competition from the 2019–20 to the 2023–24 seasons.

Rank Club 2019–20
(× 1)
2020–21
(× 2)
2021–22
(× 3)
2022–23
(× 4)
2023–24
(× 5)
Total
1 Egypt Al Ahly 6 6 5 6 6 87
2 Tunisia Espérance de Tunis 3 4 3 4 5 61
3 Morocco Wydad 4 4 6 5 2 60
4 South Africa Mamelodi Sundowns 3 3 3 4 4 54
As of 06 October 2024

Performance in FIFA Club World Cup

[edit]

Mamelodi was the first football club from Southern Africa to represent CAF in FIFA Club World Cup, following their 2016 CAF Champions League success.Sundowns is yet again scheduled to participate in another tournament in the United states in 2025.

Year Finish P W D L GF GA GD Pst
2016 6th place 2 0 0 2 1 6 -5 0
Total 2 0 0 2 1 6 -5 0
As of 18 December 2016

Club records

[edit]

Records

[edit]
Type Nat Name Record
Most trophies won – Player Zambia Kennedy Mweene 12
Most Trophies Won – Coach South Africa Pitso Mosimane 11
Most starts South Africa Daniel Mudau 390
Most goals South Africa Daniel Mudau 172
Most capped player South Africa Katlego Mphela 32
Most starts in a season South Africa Themba Mnguni 48 (1997–98)
Most goals in a season South Africa Bennett Masinga 33 (1990)
Record victory South Africa vs Powerlines 24–0 (4 March 2012, Nedbank Cup)
Inter-record victory Egypt vs Al Ahly 5–0 (6 April 2019, CAF Champions League)
Record defeat Ivory Coast vs Africa Sports 1–6 (4 November 2000, CAF Champions League)

Source:[20]

Season Pos Record
P W D L F A GD Pts
1996–97 6th 34 13 11 10 35 30 5 50
1997–98 Champions 34 19 11 4 48 25 23 68
1998–99 Champions 34 23 6 5 70 26 44 75
1999–00 Champions 34 23 6 5 68 34 34 75
2000–01 3rd 34 17 8 9 58 32 26 59
2001–02 5th 34 15 11 8 47 32 15 56
2002–03 10th 30 11 6 13 30 30 0 39
2003–04 10th 30 8 12 10 32 32 0 36
2004–05 3rd 30 16 8 6 54 28 26 56
2005–06 Champions 30 16 9 5 45 19 26 57
2006–07 Champions 30 18 7 5 45 17 28 61
2007–08 4th 30 13 8 9 40 35 5 47
2008–09 9th 30 11 7 12 28 28 0 40
2009–10 2nd 30 16 8 6 43 23 20 56
2010–11 4th 30 18 4 8 52 28 24 58
2011–12 4th 30 14 10 6 44 23 21 52
2012–13 9th 30 9 12 9 31 27 4 39
2013–14 Champions 30 20 5 5 51 25 26 65
2014–15 2nd 30 16 9 5 44 24 20 57
2015–16 Champions 30 22 5 3 55 20 35 71
2016–17 2nd 30 16 9 5 52 20 32 57
2017–18 Champions 30 18 6 6 49 24 25 60
2018–19 Champions 30 16 11 3 40 24 16 59
2019–20 Champions 30 17 8 5 43 22 21 59
2020–21 Champions 30 19 10 1 49 14 35 67
2021–22 Champions 30 19 8 3 56 20 36 65
2022–23 Champions 30 21 7 2 52 13 39 70
2023–24 Champions 30 22 7 1 51 10 41 73
  • Orange = In progress
  • Gold = Champions
  • Silver = Runner up

Source:[21]

Players

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As of 31 August 2024[22]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Uganda UGA Denis Onyango
3 FW South Africa RSA Thembinkosi Lorch
4 MF South Africa RSA Teboho Mokoena
5 DF South Africa RSA Mosa Lebusa
6 MF South Africa RSA Aubrey Modiba
7 MF South Africa RSA Lesiba Nku
8 MF Bolivia BOL Erwin Saavedra
9 FW Brazil BRA Arthur Sales
10 FW Brazil BRA Lucas Ribeiro Costa
11 MF Chile CHI Marcelo Allende
12 MF South Africa RSA Neo Maema
13 FW South Africa RSA Iqraam Rayners
14 MF South Africa RSA Terrence Mashego
15 MF South Africa RSA Bathusi Aubaas
17 FW South Africa RSA Tashreeq Matthews
18 MF South Africa RSA Themba Zwane
19 FW South Africa RSA Kobamelo Kodisang
20 DF South Africa RSA Grant Kekana
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 MF South Africa RSA Sphelele Mkhulise
23 DF South Africa RSA Rushine De Reuck
24 MF South Africa RSA Sipho Mbule
25 DF South Africa RSA Khuliso Mudau
26 GK South Africa RSA Reyaad Pieterse
27 DF South Africa RSA Thapelo Morena
30 GK South Africa RSA Ronwen Williams (captain)
33 FW South Africa RSA Thapelo Maseko
34 MF South Africa RSA Mothobi Mvala
36 GK South Africa RSA Jody February
37 DF South Africa RSA Kegan Johannes
38 FW Namibia NAM Peter Shalulile
39 MF South Africa RSA Lebohang Maboe
40 DF South Africa RSA Rivaldo Coetzee
42 DF South Africa RSA Malibongwe Khoza
43 FW South Africa RSA Kutlwano Lethlaku
48 DF South Africa RSA Asekho Tiwani
50 GK South Africa RSA Sanele Tshabalala

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
MF Argentina ARG Matías Esquivel (at Talleres until 30 June 2025)

Shirt sponsor & kit manufacturer

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Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Sleeve sponsor
1996–2002 Germany Adidas
1994–1996 Germany Puma
2002–2008 Italy Diadora
2008–2016 United States Nike South Africa Ubuntu-Botho Investments
2016–present Germany Puma[23] South Korea Hyundai[24]

References

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  1. ^ Diamond, Drew (16 November 2023). "South African club Mamelodi Sundowns to release Netflix documentary". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Most valuable football clubs in Africa as of the 2021/2022 season, by market value". mirror. 20 September 2021. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b "History – Mamelodi Sundowns". Mamelodi Sundowns FC. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  4. ^ "How did Mamelodi Sundowns get their name? – Goalpedia". Goal. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Memoirs with Ingle Singh". Kaizer Chiefs. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  6. ^ "How did Mamelodi Sundowns get their name? – Goalpedia". Goal. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Chloorkop's coaches". Kick Off, Mark Gleeson. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  8. ^ "How did Mamelodi Sundowns get their name? – Goalpedia – Goal.com". Goal. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  9. ^ "South Africa Cup Winners". RSSSF. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  10. ^ "Taking a trip on the Chukwu train – Reflecting the Greatness of Raphael Chukwu". Mamelodi Sundowns FC. 6 June 2022. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Sundowns make South African history with 24–0 win". BBC Sport. 4 March 2012. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  12. ^ "Downs thrash Powerlines in record win". Sundowns FC. 4 March 2012. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  13. ^ "Premier League 2013/14". Football Database. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Mortada Mansour blames sorcery for Zamalek African Champions League defeat". The Guardian. 24 October 2016. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  15. ^ "South Africa's Sundowns win first CAF Super Cup title after late victory over Mazembe". Ahram Online. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  16. ^ "Club Statement". Mamelodi Sundowns FC. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  17. ^ "HONOURS – Mamelodi Sundowns – Official Website". Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  18. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Sundowns break the record – Biggest victories in CAF Champions League history". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  19. ^ "Disqualification of AS Vita Club". CAF. 24 May 2016. Archived from the original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  20. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns". Kickoff.com. Archived from the original on 6 November 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  21. ^ Kickoff PSL Yearbook 2013/2014, p. 28.
  22. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns 2022–23 squad". Club homepage. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  23. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns sign lucrative long-term deal with Puma". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  24. ^ Holmes, Elena (17 October 2017). "Mamelodi Sundowns net Hyundai deal". SportsPro. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
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