Mamelodi Sundowns' Malibongwe Khoza challenges for the ball against Kaizer Chiefs' Tashreeq Morris during their Betway Premiership clash at the Lucas 'Masterieces' Moripa Stadium on Saturday.
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
The 2024/25 season has been one filled with activity for defending Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Brazilians shocked many when they parted ways with Rulani Mokwena at the end of the previous season for what the club described as a failure to achieve expected targets. However, those sentiments were met with rumblings under breaths as many viewed Mokwena’s group as one of the best to ever grace domestic football, and it was only a matter of time before they reclaimed a second CAF Champions League title.
The departure of the young coach saw Manqoba Mngqithi assume the top job, but his failure to win the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout Cup saw him shown the door late last year.
In stepped Portugal-born Miguel Cardoso who has now seemingly settled to life in Chloorkop.
From the changing of coaches to the shock results against the likes of Stellenbosch, Polokwane City and TS Galaxy, as well as a failure to win domestic trophies, Sundowns have been called ‘vulnerable’ a couple of times this season.
However, statistically, that is not the case; in fact, it appears the Pretoria-based juggernauts are looking to set new standards once more this season.
On paper, Sundowns' 2024/2025 campaign hasn’t been entirely smooth.
A series of shock results against mid-tier sides such as Stellenbosch, Polokwane City, and TS Galaxy raised questions about their vulnerability, with pundits wondering if the mighty Sundowns were beginning to show signs of weakness.
Additionally, the absence of domestic silverware early in the season fueled doubts about their potential to dominate once again.
However, the Pretoria-based juggernauts have silenced those concerns with a remarkable response.
Sundowns’ resilience is evident in their statistics, and despite some critics still echoing concerns, the club has continued to redefine the standards of South African football.
According to OptaJabu, Sundowns became the fastest team in Premier Soccer League (PSL) history to reach 50 points in a top-flight season. They achieved this milestone in just 19 games, breaking their own record of 20 games from the previous two seasons (2022/23 and 2023/24).
But that’s not all. February 2025 marked a historic month for Sundowns as they scored a staggering 22 goals, their most in a single calendar month. The club's previous best came in February 1999 and February 2002, with 15 goals in each.
What’s more, Sundowns became the first team to score 4 or more goals in four different league games in the same month—a feat no other PSL team has ever matched more than twice in a single month.
These figures are a testament to the attacking power and depth that Sundowns have at their disposal.
Their critics may continue to highlight vulnerabilities, but the numbers suggest a team that is on the rise, setting new records and Sundowns going 18 points clear of Orlando Pirates in the league race also refutes those suggestions.
While there may have been moments of uncertainty this season, it’s clear that Mamelodi Sundowns are far from vulnerable.
With Cardoso at the helm and a squad brimming with talent, the club seems poised to challenge for the much-desired Champions League gold medal.
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