Seven in a row - Sundowns continue dominance

Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance of the domestic scene is well established but there could have been no better way to emphasise that by rubbing into the dirt the nose of the club they have deposed as the best in South African soccer history.

In taking a record-extending seventh successive DStv Premiership title– and a record-extending 17th overall – Sundowns are now way ahead of Kaizer Chiefs as the most successful team in more than a half century of professional football in the country.

Thursday’s 5-1 thumping at Soccer City over Chuefs – albeit down to 10 men from midway through the first half – was just another empathic example of how Sundowns have become all-conquering in South African football, offering little hope that any of the chasing pack might soon be able to challenge their hegemony.

Each passing season, Sundowns have rewritten the record books but the 2023-24 campaign might yet turn out to be their most successful yet.

They have won the tittle with six matches to spare – as was the case last season – but this time round are still unbeaten after 24 of their 30 league matches.

No club has ever finished any season in South African football without losing a league game but Sundowns can claim that unique record if they avoid defeat in their last matches against Lamontville Golden Arrows, Royal AM (twice), Stellenbosch, Cape Town City and TS Galaxy.

Sundowns won their opening 11 games of the season in a lightening start that put them well clear of the chasing pack by the time one third of the season was complete.

They have rarely ben challenged since and after berating Chiefs on Thursday moved to 62 points, out of the reach of the rest of the 16-team field.

Already they have won 19 games and if they win their remaining fixtures, it will be a total of 25 out of possble 30 – breaking by two wins the record of 23 they jointly held withChiefs and Manning Rangers from the days when the top flight was made up of 18 clubs and there were 34 games in a season. In a 30-game season, the Brazilians hold the record with 22 victories, set in 2015/16. Sundowns looked on target last year until they drew six of their last nine league games and ended with 21 wins.

Sundowns need only win half of their remaining games to tie the record for the most points in a 30-match season, which is 71 they set in the 2015/16 campaign. The most points accumulated in any season in South Africa is 75, a record Sundowns jointly hold with Chiefs from the 1998/99 campaign that had 34 matches per team. It once seemed unthinkable that could be topped in 30 games, but not anymore.

One record that Chiefs still hold is the fewest goals conceded in season – Chiefs have this one too after they let in only 11 goals in the 2003/04 season on their way to winning the league under Ted Dumitru. Sundowns conceded 13 times last season but have another shot at it this term, with nine conceded so far.

Sundowns’ league success has come in tandem with a fatigue-sapping cup programme. They won the inaugural African Football League in November, reached the MTN8 and on Sunday play the Nedbank cup final. They were eliminated last weekend in the African Champions League semifinal for a second successive year.

On top of 24 league games, they have played a total of 26 cup matches. To stay on top it has necessitated a strong squad and this season Sundowns splashed out cash to bring in Brazilian import Lucas Ribeiro, Bathusi Aubaas (TS Galaxy), Thapelo Maseko (SuperSport United), Junior Mendieta (Stellenbosch) and Lesiba Nku (Marumo Gallants).

In the January transfer window, they added Thembinkosi Lorch from Orlando Pirates, the Argentine Matias Esquivel, Tashreeq Matthews, plus defensive cover in Zuko Mdunyelwa from Chippa United.

Rulani Mokwena continues to deliver extraordinary numbers as coach. He has yet to lose a DStv Premiership matches since taking solo charge of the team some 18 months ago and his record this season is 32 wins in 50 games with 14 draws and four losses – all of those coming in African club competition.