IT may be too early to call, but all signs point to yet another dominant season for Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League. In the last six seasons, Sundowns have claimed each and every PSL title.
They have been stopped just twice in the last 10 seasons, by Bidvest Wits in 2017 and Kaizer Chiefs in 2015. Thanks to their dominance of the PSL, Orlando Pirates last won the PSL title in 2012. It is highly expected that Sundowns will win an unprecedented seventh straight title this season.
With an unbeaten start in the PSL so far, and all wins, it is very easy to predict Sundowns’ next result. It is also an opportunity for newly registering players to utilize the enticing bonus offers across the top bookmakers around, which include the Tafabet’s R5000, Sportingbet’s R3000 and more across top betting sites for South Africans in 2024, which are reviewed on Sportytrader.
Built reputation
Sundowns have built their reputation not just domestically, but continentally as well, for some of the best football. Their quality makes it easily questionable whether they are too good for South African football or it is the quality of the PSL that’s too low. In their opening eight matches of the PSL, they haven’t dropped a point.
Their only unfavorable result so far came through post-match penalties after a 0-0 draw with Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 Cup final, otherwise it has been smooth sailing for the team under coach Rulani Mokwena. The manager has a clear outline of what he wants to achieve in the season, which is a depiction of the dominance Sundowns have established in the South African football scene. They’ve already suffered one exit but they remain in contention in five other competitions. Last season, under Rulani’s charge, the team won 70% of the matches he oversaw, going unbeaten. A sixth straight league title under Rulani ensured he was named the Coach of the Season.
Constant revitalization
A constant revitalization of the playing unit has kept the team going. After many years as their safe hands, goalkeeper Dennis Onyango’s time is clearly out and Ronwen Williams did well on his first season after joining from SuperSport United. Last season, he managed 18 clean sheets in 26 matches, and meanwhile, he still has Onyango for guidance before the experienced Ugandan keeper finally bows out.
That run of clean sheets is a new high in the PSL and he deservedly was named the Goalkeeper of the Season. With Rulani taking charge for a first full season, you can bet he will want a continuation of the dominance established.
A preseason camp in Europe and facing some established European sides during that period was a statement of intent. Masandawana prepared well for a busy campaign, by signing some top players too. Bringing in Lesiba Nku, Thapelo Maseko, Lucas Costa Ribeiro and Junior Mendietta must have sent a shiver down competitors’ spines. If anything, Rulani made it quite clear it is continental glory he is eyeing, then that means the plan will involve flattening opponents in the PSL on their way to the big ones in Africa.
