Mamelodi Sundowns return to DStv Premiership action when they make the short trip to Tshwane rivals SuperSport United on Wednesday.
It will have been 63 days since they last played in the league, a 3-1 victory over Stellenbosch FC on September 29 that made it eight wins out of eight at the start of their season.
Here are 10 things that have happened since they last featured in the DStv Premiership.
1. They have played in four separate cup competitions
Since Sundowns last featured in the DStv Premiership they have played in the MTN8, Carling Knockout, African Football League and CAF Champions League. They were, of course, champions in the AFL, but lost out in the two domestic competitions.
2. Fifa awarded 2030 and 2034 World Cups to hosts
Younger Sundowns players may have been keenly watching the news that Fifa awarded the 2030 World Cup to the joint bid of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, and the 2034 event to the only bidder, Saudi Arabia. Current Sundowns attacker Siyabonga Mabena, who scored against Stellenbosch in their last PSL game, will only be 27 in 2034 and maybe in his prime!
3. The Springboks won the Rugby World Cup
The Springboks had just lost their pool game 13-8 to Ireland in Paris at the World Cup and there was a bit of doom and gloom around the side. We need not have worried; they won their next four games to lift the trophy for a record fourth time!
4. Ouch …
Since Sundowns last had a league game, Kaizer Chiefs have played five matches, won only one of those and fired their coach, Molefi Ntseki. Four of those games were at home too. The only victory was a 3-2 success against bottom side Cape Town Spurs.
5. Several PSL coaches have upskilled
Since Sundowns were last in action in the league, several rival clubs have seen their coaches complete a CAF A-License course. Steve Barker (Stellenbosch FC), Gavin Hunt (SuperSport United) and Eric Tinkler all took part in a recent course in Johannesburg.
6. Mayo on form
Khanyisa Mayo is a reported target for Sundowns and since they have been idle in the league, he has given them more to think about. The Bafana Bafana winger has scored five goals in five league games since Sundowns last played …
7. There have been two Fifa International windows
Sundowns have only played nine times since they last played in the league, but three weeks of that time were devoted to Fifa International windows. Bafana Bafana, packed with Sundowns players, played four games, beating Benin, drawing with Eswatini and Ivory Coast, and losing to Rwanda.
8. The petrol price came down
It has been that long since Sundowns last played a league game that the petrol price had a sharp rise and then a steep fall. It is down 64 cents from when The Brazilians played Stellenbosch in late September, having almost touched an eye-watering R25 per litre.
9. Sundowns have received three red cards
Since The Brazilians last played in the league they have received three red cards (they have five in total already this season!). Mothobi Mvala and Junior Mendieta were sent off in the African Football League and Bongani Zungu saw red for his literal leg-breaker on Bernard Parker in the Carling Knockout.
10. SuperSport have played seven times
Wednesday’s opponents SuperSport have also featured in three separate competitions since Sundowns last played in the league, with four wins, a draw and two losses. In their was a shock 4-1 defeat to Polokwane City in the Carling Knockout and a surprise 2-1 loss at the hands of Sekhukhune United in the league.