Sundowns hoping to lift Africa’s most sought-after club prize
Mamelodi Sundowns will be making their second attempt at lifting Africa’s most sought after club trophy after stumbling at the last hurdle against Al Ahly back in 2001.
Reaching the final of Africa’s biggest club competition still feels like a dream for the 46-year-old club that was established in the Marabastad township of Tshwane in the South African capital by a group of youngsters who had a passion for the game.
The club became a professional outfit in 1970 and was first affiliated with the professional league three years later. Upon admission, Mamelodi Sundowns reached their first final in a Coca-Cola sponsored tournament where they lost 5-3 against Berea United.
The journey of the ‘Brazilians’ as the club is affectionately known due to its playing style was quite illustrious in their early years of inception. The club was once relegated and fought their way back to the then National Professional Soccer League after five years. It was in the same period that the club decided to move to the Mamelodi Township where it established its core fan base in the township that is located North East of Tshwane.
Upon gaining promotion to the National Soccer League (now Premier Soccer League) in 1985, managerial issues resulted in the club struggling to a point of liquidation before being rescued by Angelo and Natasha Tsichlas in 1988. Under the new leadership of Tsichlas, Sundowns enjoyed tremendous success in the National Soccer League. It was during that year that Sundowns won their first league title and a BobSave Superbowl Cup (Now MTN 8) with Angelo Tsichlas at the helm as head coach.
From then on, the club dominated South African football, lifting the league and cup trophies that saw their support grow from the Mamelodi Township to different parts of the country.
Noticing the great potential and value of the club, South African mining and business mogul, Patrice Motsepe purchased the club from the Tsichlas family and has since pumped over R150 Million (over 10 million US Dollars) into the club, bringing in some of Africa’s best players to the Tshwane outfit.
To date, the club’s trophy cabinet boasts 10 league titles, four FA Cups, three league cups, three Top 8 cups and a number of preseason trophies. However, being crowned champions of Africa will be the ultimate return on investment for the club President.
Former Sundowns striker, Daniel Mudau who retired a few years ago is confident that the Brazilians club will go all the way this time as they head back to Egypt in what he sees as a repeat of 2001 when Sundowns faced Egyptian giants, Al Ahly in the final.
Mudau, the Brazilians all-time leading goal scorer with 172 goals to his name says the strength of the current generation has been their resilience and ability to come back from behind.
“The coach (Pitso Mosimane) has instilled a ‘never say die’ attitude in the squad and give it their all up until the last minute. Teams that win against us really need to dig deep. Our boys always play with their hearts on their sleeves and this is because of the quality of the technical team that has been assembled at the club.
“It will definitely be tough but I believe this is the perfect Mamelodi Sundowns generation to make history,” says Mudau who is now the club’s Supporters Manager.
Amongst its great achievements, Sundowns is also one of the very few clubs in South Africa that have a professional women’s side, which is also the reigning queens of South African women’s football and contributes key players to the national women’s sides