Mamelodi Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns is a South African professional football club based in Pretoria, Gauteng, that competes in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), the top division of South African football. The club was founded in 1970 by Zola Mahobe and has since become one of the most successful and popular teams in South Africa, with a large following of fans, including Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates supporters. Mamelodi Sundowns has a strong rivalry with other South African teams, such as Bidvest Wits and Supersport United. The team has also competed in various international competitions, including the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, against teams like Al Ahly and Zamalek.

● History

The history of Mamelodi Sundowns dates back to 1970, when the club was founded by Zola Mahobe in the Mamelodi township of Pretoria. The team quickly gained popularity and began competing in local and national tournaments, including the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) and the South African Football Association (SAFA). In the 1980s, Mamelodi Sundowns became one of the dominant teams in South African football, winning several league titles and cups, including the Bob Save Super Bowl and the BP Top Eight. The team has also had success in international competitions, competing against teams like Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak in the CAF Champions League and the African Cup Winners' Cup. Mamelodi Sundowns has been owned by Patrice Motsepe since 2004, and has since become one of the richest and most successful teams in South Africa, with a strong squad that includes players like Themba Zwane and Percy Tau, who have also played for teams like Bafana Bafana and South Africa national under-23 football team.

● Honours

Mamelodi Sundowns has won numerous honours and awards throughout its history, including the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title, the Nedbank Cup, the Telkom Knockout, and the MTN 8. The team has also won several international competitions, including the CAF Champions League and the African Cup Winners' Cup. In 2016, Mamelodi Sundowns won the CAF Champions League title, defeating Zamalek in the final, and also competed in the FIFA Club World Cup against teams like Real Madrid and Club América. The team has also won several domestic cups, including the Bob Save Super Bowl and the BP Top Eight, and has been crowned South African champions a record 11 times, surpassing teams like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

● Stadium

Mamelodi Sundowns plays its home games at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, which has a capacity of over 50,000 spectators. The stadium has hosted several high-profile matches, including South Africa national football team games and CAF Champions League finals, and has also been used as a venue for other sports, such as rugby union and athletics. The stadium is located in the Arcadia suburb of Pretoria, near the University of Pretoria and the Pretoria CBD. Mamelodi Sundowns has also played home games at other stadiums, including the Atteridgeville Stadium and the Mbombela Stadium, which are also used by teams like Supersport United and Bidvest Wits.

● Squad

The Mamelodi Sundowns squad consists of a mix of experienced and young players, including Themba Zwane, Percy Tau, and Hlompho Kekana, who have also played for teams like Bafana Bafana and South Africa national under-23 football team. The team is coached by Pitso Mosimane, who has previously managed teams like Supersport United and the South Africa national football team. The squad also includes players like Gaston Sirino and Sibusiso Vilakazi, who have played for teams like Bloemfontein Celtic and Bidvest Wits. Mamelodi Sundowns has a strong youth development system, with a focus on nurturing young talent from South Africa and other parts of Africa, including players from Ghana and Nigeria.

● Club Records

Mamelodi Sundowns has several club records, including the most Premier Soccer League (PSL) titles won, the most Nedbank Cup titles won, and the most CAF Champions League appearances. The team has also set several records in South African football, including the most consecutive wins in the PSL and the most goals scored in a single season, surpassing teams like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Mamelodi Sundowns has a strong rivalry with other South African teams, including Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, and has a large following of fans, including supporters from Johannesburg and Cape Town.

● Rivals

Mamelodi Sundowns has several rivals in South African football, including Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Supersport United. The team has a strong rivalry with Kaizer Chiefs, with whom they contest the Soweto Derby, and also has a rivalry with Orlando Pirates, with whom they contest the Pretoria Derby. Mamelodi Sundowns also has a rivalry with other teams, including Bidvest Wits and Bloemfontein Celtic, and has competed against teams like Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak in the CAF Champions League and the African Cup Winners' Cup. The team has a large following of fans, including supporters from Johannesburg and Cape Town, and has a strong presence in South African football, with players like Themba Zwane and Percy Tau who have also played for teams like Bafana Bafana and South Africa national under-23 football team.

Category:Football clubs in South Africa