Mamelodi Sundowns fans are this morning to celebrating their another success for their team – there were yesterday crowned Absa Premiership champions after a 1-0 win over Free State Stars at Goble Park in Bethlehem.

This occasion also marked the relegation of Free State Stars to the National First Division (NFD) after 12 years in the top division.

Mamelodi Sundowns website described the win as the crowning glory of the season which started in August. “We have played 50 games in all competitions since August when they opened the season. “We have ended the season with an unassailable 59 points which is two ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates.”
Sundowns have now won nine Premier Soccer League (PSL) titles and the win will help ease the memories of last weekend where they failed to qualify for the second Caf Champions League final after they lost 2-1 to Wydad Casablanca on aggregate.

Club president Patrice Motsepe was also among those in the stands and watched on as the Brazilians showed grit to stay top of the pile.

According to the official Mamelodi Sundowns website, it looked like Downs would have to dig deep when talisman Gaston Sirino had to be taken off due to a muscle strain some five minutes before the half-time break and speedster Phakamani Mahlambi was brought on.

He made an immediate impact, scoring moments after he’d come off the bench to give the Brazilians the lead and the winning goal.