Downs crowned champions for 8th time
The club has cut the celebrations short as they focus on conquering Africa again.
Having been crowned Absa Premiership champions over the weekend, Mamelodi Sundowns can now turn their focus on the CAF Champions League.
The Pretoria club was crowned champions on Saturday after beating Ajax Cape Town 3-1 in Atteridgeville claiming the honours ahead of runners-up Orlando Pirates with a game to spare.
We have done it Masandawana! Together we have conquered South African football for a record 8 times!
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆#Gr8nessLoaded #8TimePSLChamps #Sundowns #AbsaPrem pic.twitter.com/mxswQdvrRH
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 28, 2018
Sundowns, who needed one win from two games to take the title, had to dig deep to overcome a stubborn Ajax side, who are in a relegation scrap.
Downs captain Hlompho Kekana thanked supporters and teammates for believing in them.
“We need to give credit to everyone who has been sacrificing for the team,” he said. “I am just happy to be the champions again.”
Since the inception of the PSL, Downs have won a record eight titles, and three in five years under current coach Pitso Mosimane.
Following the conclusion of the match, Mosimane said he knew that Downs were going to snatch the league besides an early scare when Ajax opened the scoring at the Lucas Moripe stadium.
“When Ajax snatched an early lead I never doubted that we would hit back hard. Mentally, this Sundowns side is extremely strong,” the 53-year-old told Kickoff magazine adding the title-charge was never under threat.
“What is appropriate is that Pirates is coming and closing the gap, which is true. Otherwise, what do you want? You want people to praise you all the time?
“But to be honest the league has never been under threat. Never. We have been there all the time. They tried and they did very well.”
Mosimane was delighted that the Buccaneers were back in the champion’s league next season.
“I am happy they are playing Champions League. That is where I wanted Pirates to play, the Champions League. Let us see. Let us go on aeroplanes. Let us come and play every three days. Let us see which team can sustain that,” he said.
“I told you Esperance, Al Ahly and Sundowns, those are the only three teams on the continent that can go every three days and play like Real Madrid and Barcelona and not complain.”
Although the celebration went on until Sunday morning for Downs’s fans, Mosimane almost immediately turned his attention to the Champions League.
The Brazilians open their league group stage against Wydad Casablanca on Saturday.
The two teams last time last year when the Pretoria side crashed out of the competition via a penalty shootout.
Despite their league dominance, the real test lies ahead as Mosimane and his men aim to win the CAF Champions League later this year.
Having won the competition in 2016, Downs have been a team to beat in Africa having beaten the likes of TP Mazembe and Zamalek over the years.
But they have to do that without star-man Khama Billiat.
The Zimbabwean forward has been instrumental in handing Downs their eight titles and his departure leaves a big hole in Downs’ impressive attack.
🙌 Describe this mans season in 1 word!
__________#Gr8nessLoaded #8TimePSLChamps #Sundowns #AbsaPrem pic.twitter.com/JMSnLBZxYD
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 28, 2018
Another striker who has been tipped to leave the club is Percy Tau. Tau has been Downs’ best player for the past two seasons, attracting European interest as a result.
And it would seem Downs would not stand in the way of a move abroad for the 24-year-old former Clapham high learner “if the offer is good”.
Good offer or not, such a move would surely hurt Downs’ chances of winning the CAF league for the second time in two years.
Scintillating form shown by these Brazilians till this point of the season & it's not over yet!
âž–#Sundowns pic.twitter.com/8ncUp3a8qz— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 1, 2018
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
