Mamelodi Sundowns have dominated the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in recent years, winning seven Premiership titles in a row. However, this season, Orlando Pirates can push them close and Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch FC also cannot be written off.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs meant they drew first blood in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title race but it also suggested that although Sundowns have won the league seven times in a row, they can no longer take the top spot for granted.
Indeed, Kaizer Chiefs and their Soweto rivals, Orlando Pirates, are snapping at Sundowns’ heels in the fight for supremacy in South Africa. Furthermore, Stellenbosch FC beat Sundowns home and away in the MTN8 semi-finals, which showed that they too are a team to watch for the future as they can remain competitive even after key players are sold to the traditional “big three” clubs in South Africa.
Sundowns first became the dominant power in South African soccer under Pitso Mosimane, the first head coach who then-club president Patrice Motsepe trusted to lead Sundowns for a lengthy period.
Mosimane took charge in 2012 when Sundowns were a laughingstock in South African football despite spending huge amounts. He turned the ship around and Sundowns not only became the best team in South Africa but also won the CAF Champions League in 2016.
Mosimane resigned in September 2020 after winning five Premiership titles before leaving to coach Al Ahly.
He was succeeded by his former assistants Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena. Initially, Mngqithi was designated as the leader of the coaching team, while Mokwena was second in command, but Mokwena took control in 2022. Under Mngqithi and then Mokwena, Sundowns continued to dominate.
Mokwena left for Wydad Casablanca in the offseason with Mngqithi re-appointed as head coach.
All good things come to an end and the Sundowns dynasty now faces the challenge of maintaining its momentum through yet another strategic shift.
However, they are still clearly strong. The reason why Sundowns’ dominance is under threat is more to do with improving competition than their own decline.
Orlando Pirates have gotten used to winning silverware in recent years and have clearly regained their confidence. They won the MTN8 in 2020/21, 2022/23 and 2023/24 and now have a chance to win it again when they face Stellenbosch FC on October 5.
Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, look stronger this season under Nasreddine Nabi and gave Sundowns a scare with fine margins deciding the game between them. With Gaston Sirino now a Chiefs player after all his accolades at Sundowns, they certainly cannot be written off.
Stellenbosch’s strong academy structure has ensured that even with Iqraam Rayners signing for Sundowns and Deano van Rooyen leaving for Pirates, they are still competitive. Although they are not as likely to win the league as the big three are, they cannot be written off entirely after finishing third last season.
They say iron sharpens iron, and after years of Sundowns dominating South African soccer, signs are emerging that their rivals may finally be learning what it takes to catch them.