Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.

Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club (simply often known as Sundowns) is a South African professional 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.

Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.
Full nameMamelodi Sundowns Football Club
Nickname(s)The Brazilians
Bafana baStyle
Masandawana
Downs
Kabo Yellow
Short nameSundowns
Founded1970 (1970)
GroundLucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Capacity28,900
51,762
OwnerPatrice Motsepe
LeagueDStv Premiership
2019–201st
WebsiteClub website

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 Championships. They are the first South African team to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they finished in 6th place.

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 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 Champions League group stage unbeaten in the 2019-20 Season when they finished with a record 4-2-0.

Sundowns has won more league titles than any other club in South African football history.

History

Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club originated around Marabastad, a cosmopolitan area north west of the Pretoria CBD.

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.

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 and lost 5–3.

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.

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 was formed, incorporating the top clubs in the country.

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.

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 team in South Africa. They won the first NSL League Trophy with Angelo Tsichlas as coach.

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 Rothmans Cup winners in 1999.

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 2001 CAF Champions League where they were defeated 4–1 on aggregate by Egyptian club Al Ahly.

Under Tsichlas, the team won more trophies than any other team in South Africa.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

On 4 March 2012, the team set a remarkable South African record in the Nedbank Cup when they beat Powerlines by a score of 24–0.[1][2]

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

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.[3] In their journey for gold, Sundowns opened their campaign with a annulled 2–0 win against Algeria's ES Setif courtesy of Mabunda and Khama Billiat goals.

Despite the disappointment of losing 3 points, that did not halt their performance. On 26 June 2016, they faced 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.

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 a 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.[3]

Honours

National Titles

South African League titles (10)- Record:

Winners (10): 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20
Runners-up (3): 2009–10, 2014–15, 2016-17
Winners (3): 1988, 1989–90, 1992–93
Runners-up (2): 1990–91, 1994–95

Cup competitions
Winners (5): 1986, 1998, 2008, 2014–15, 2019–20
Runners-up (5): 1989, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2011–12
Winners (4): 1990, 1999, 2015, 2019
Runners-up (4): 1997, 1998, 2007, 2012
Winners (3): 1988, 1990, 2007
Runners-up (6): 1992, 1994, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2016

African Competitions
Best final positionYear (season)
Winners 2016
Runners-up2001
Best final positionYear (season)
Champions2017

Individual Awards
  • 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

Shell Helix Cup

Winners : 2018

Performance in CAF Competitions

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 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 Cote d’Or, 11-1 at home and 16-1 on aggregate in the first round of the 2019-2020 season.[4]

YearBest finish
1994Second Round
1999Play-offs
2000Group Stage
2001Finalist
2006First Round
2007Play-offs
2008Play-offs
2015First Round
2016Champion
2017Quarterfinals
2018Group Stage
2018–19Semi final
2019–20Quarterfinals
Year Best finish
CAF Confederation CupCAF Super Cup
2007Group Stage DNQ
2008Play-offs DNQ
2009Second Round DNQ
2016Play-offs DNQ
2017 DNQ Champion
Year Best finish
CAF CupAfrican Cup winners' Cup
1996Second Round DNQ
1998 DNQ Second Round
2003Second Round DNQ
Note
  • 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.
    [5]

Overall matches
Competition PWDLGFGA
CAF Cup 8413117
African Cup Winners' Cup 421173
CAF Champions League 11157282617596
CAF Confederation Cup 167272524
CAF Super Cup 110010
Total 140713237220130
As of 9 March 2020

CAF Association ranking for 2019/20
Legend
  • CL: CAF Champions League
  • CC: CAF Confederation Cup
  •   Associations ranked 1–12 and eligible to enter two teams in each CAF tournament (Champions League and Confederation Cup)
RankAssociation2015
(× 1)		2016
(× 2)		2017
(× 3)		2018
(× 4)		2018–19
(× 5)		Total
CLCCCLCCCLCCCLCCCLCC
1 Tunisia 0603759086 154
2 Morocco 2044635757 153
3 Egypt 167070.55345 120.5
4 Algeria 8004425251 92
5 DR Congo 6005153450 87
6 South Africa 046034.52060 76.5
As of 13 January 2020

Club ranking

Club ranking is used for seeding in the CAF competitions.

Legend
RankClub2015
(× 1)		2016
(× 2)		2017
(× 3)		2018
(× 4)		2018–19
(× 5)		Total
1 Espérance de Tunis 0.50366 63.5
2 TP Mazembe 65534 63
2 Wydad Casablanca 04635 63
4 Al-Ahly 32553 57
5 Étoile du Sahel 53433 50
6 Mamelodi Sundowns 06324 49
As of 13 January 2020

Performance in FIFA Club World Cup

NB: Mamelodi Sundowns is the first football club from Southern Africa to represent CAF in FIFA Club World Cup, following their 2016 CAF Champions League success.

Year Best finish PWDLGFGAGDPst
2016 6th Places 200216-50
Total 200216-50
As of 18 December 2016

Club records

Records
Type Nat Name Records
Most starts Daniel Mudau 390
Most goals Daniel Mudau 172
Most capped player Katlego Mphela 32
Most starts in a season Themba Mnguni 48 (1997–98)
Most goals in a season Bennett Masinga 33 (1990)
Record victory vs Powerlines FC 24–0 (4 March 2012,
Nedbank Cup)
Inter-record victory
Record defeat vs Africa Sports 1–6 (4 November 2000, CAF Champions League)

Source:[6]

Premier Soccer League record
Season Pos Record
PWDLFAGDPstNedbank Cup
1996–976th 34 13 11 10 35 30 5 50
1997–98CHAMPIONS 34 19 11 4 48 25 23 68
1998–99CHAMPIONS 34 23 6 5 70 26 44 75
1999–00CHAMPIONS 34 23 6 5 68 34 34 75
2000–013rd 34 17 8 9 58 32 26 59
2001–025th 34 15 11 8 47 32 15 56
2002–0310th 30 11 6 13 30 30 0 39
2003–0410th 30 8 12 10 32 32 0 36
2004–053rd 30 16 8 6 54 28 26 56
2005–06CHAMPIONS 30 16 9 5 45 19 26 57
2006–07CHAMPIONS 30 18 7 5 45 17 28 61
2007–084th 30 13 8 9 40 35 5 47
2008–099th 30 11 7 12 28 28 0 40
2009–102nd 30 16 8 6 43 23 20 56
2010–114th 30 18 4 8 52 28 24 58
2011–124th 30 14 10 6 44 23 21 52
2012–139th 30 9 12 9 31 27 4 39
2013–14CHAMPIONS 30 20 5 5 51 25 26 65
2014–152nd 30 16 9 5 44 24 20 57
2015–16CHAMPIONS 30 22 5 3 55 20 35 71
2016–172nd 30 16 9 5 52 20 32 57
2017–18CHAMPIONS 30 18 6 6 49 24 25 60
2018–19CHAMPIONS 30 16 11 3 40 24 16 59
2019–20CHAMPIONS 30 17 8 5 43 22 21 59
2020-21 In Progress 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3
Total 10 Titles 745 386 197 162 1101 630 471 1355
  • Orange = In progress
  • Gold = Champions
  • Silver = Runner up
As of 9 March 2020

Management and staff
Position Nat. Name
Owner/President Patrice Motsepe
General Manager
Directors Rejoice Simelane, Andrew Matube, Andre Wilkens, Sandile Langa
Executive: Legal & Commercial Yogesh Singh
Supporter Mobilisation Manager Alex Shakoane
Supporter Co-ordination Manager Daniel Mudau
Finance Manager
Administration Manager Belinda Ndlovu
Facilities & Projects Manager
Marketing & Special Projects Manager
Head of Security Bheki Cele
Communications Co-ordinator Mashupie Nkgadima
Supporters Assistant Daisy Kgopa
Accountant Jacob Molusi
HR and Administration Boniface Motsepe
Receptionist Tina Lesita

Technical team
Position Nat Name
Head of Technical Department José Ramón Alexanko[7]
Joint Head Coaches Manqoba Mngqithi

Rhulani Mokoena

Senior Coach Steve Komphela
Sport Scientist Vacant
Goalkeeper Coach Wendell Robinson
Head of Youth Development Sam Mbatha

Source:[8]

Players
As of 2 November 2020

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  ZAM Kennedy Mweene
3 DF  BRA Ricardo Nascimento
4 DF  RSA Tebogo Langerman
5 DF  RSA Mosa Lebusa
6 DF  KEN Brian Onyango
7 MF  RSA Lyle Lakay
8 MF  RSA Hlompho Kekana (captain)
9 FW  URU Mauricio Affonso
10 FW  URU Gastón Sirino
11 FW  RSA Kermit Erasmus
12 MF  RSA George Maluleka
13 MF  RSA Tiyani Mabunda
14 GK  UGA Denis Onyango
15 MF  RSA Andile Jali
18 MF  RSA Themba Zwane
20 GK  RSA Ricardo Goss
21 MF  RSA Sphelele Mkhulise
No. Pos. Nation Player
22 FW  RSA Lesedi Kapinga
23 MF  RSA Haashim Domingo
24 MF  RSA Sibusiso Vilakazi
25 DF  RSA Khuliso Mudau
26 MF  RSA Keletso Makgalwa
27 DF  RSA Thapelo Morena
29 DF  CIV Soumahoro Bangaly
30 GK  RSA Reyaad Pieterse
31 MF  RSA Grant Margeman
33 FW  RSA Lebohang Maboe
36 FW  RSA Promise Mkhuma
38 FW  NAM Peter Shalulile
37 MF  RSA Aubrey Modiba
40 DF  RSA Rivaldo Coetzee
41 MF  RSA Mothobi Mvala
— MF  RSA Gift Motupa

Shirt sponsor & kit manufacturer

References
  1. "Sundowns make South African history with 24–0 win". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  2. "Downs thrash Powerlines in record win". Sundowns FC. 4 March 2012. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  3. "Mortada Mansour blames sorcery for Zamalek African Champions League defeat". The Guardian. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  4. Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Sundowns break the record – Biggest victories in CAF Champions League history". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  5. "Disqualification of AS Vita Club". CAF. 24 May 2016.
  6. "Mamelodi Sundowns". Kickoff.com. Archived from the original on 6 November 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  7. "Jose Ramon Alexanko gets Mamelodi Sundowns promotion to technical director". Kick Off. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  8. Kickoff PSL Yearbook 2013/2014, p. 28.
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