Key moments in Sundowns’ title win

Mamelodi Sundowns have completed an unprecedented seventh DStv Premiership title in a row and also extended their South African record number of domestic championships to 17.

It has been done at a canter with the league wrapped up with six matches to go for the second season running, a perfect illustration of The Brazilians’ dominance of the topflight.

We pick the key moments behind their latest triumph.

PRE-SEASON PLANS

Any coach will tell you that arguably the most important period in any campaign is actually pre-season, when the plans for the new campaign are laid out, the tone for the next nine months set, and strategies put in place.

It is a vital time to integrate the new players and work on systems. Sundowns had an excellent programme, travelling to Belgium and the Netherlands in the European summer to face top quality opponents on excellent pitches and with superb facilities.

No other DStv Premiership club could come close to matching that.

It was the perfect preparation for the team and made sure they were ready physically and mentally for the new campaign.

ELEVEN IN A ROW

The platform was laid early when Sundowns won their first 11 games in a row before they were finally held to a 0-0 draw by Cape Town City on Christmas Eve.

They had been unstoppable from August to December, scoring 23 goals and conceding only three times.

It effectively ended the title race before it had really begun and exerted Sundowns’ dominance on the pitch and the league table.

MONSTER MENTALITY

The second game of the season was a tricky clash with old foes Kaizer Chiefs and showed the incredible mentality of the team, which again laid a marker for what was to come.

Lucas Ribeiro had given Sundowns a first half lead, but they were pegged back when Ashley du Preez equalised with six minutes to go for Chiefs, who suddenly had the momentum.

Rulani Mokwena’s side could have played out for what would have been a solid point, but instead kept pushing for the win, which came with a goal in the final minute from Neo Maema.

That ‘big club’ mentality is something that has permeated through their season.

RIBEIRO HAT-TRICK AGAINST USUTHU

Sundowns had a little wobble either side of the break for the festive season and Africa Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast where they drew three games in a row and were suddenly struggling for goals.

They were held by Cape Town City (0-0), Polokwane City (0-0) and Orlando Pirates (1-1), and while they still had a healthy lead at the top of the table, there seemed a few jitters.

They went through another half without scoring at home to AmaZulu and it looked like more dropped points, before a second-half hat-trick from Ribeiro turned the tide and gave them a handsome win to put the team back on track.

HUMBLING THEIR RIVALS

It is one thing to win, but to send a resounding message to your rivals is the next step in showing dominance.

Sundowns’ thumping 5-1 success over Chiefs in early May inflicted a joint club record defeat on the AmaKhosi and showed just how big the gap is between The Brazilians and those who would be champions.

They were helped by an early red card, but the way they picked off their opponents after that was a masterclass.

It was also the result that ensured they would win their seventh league title in a row.