Mamelodi Sundowns clinch seventh successive league title in style

Mamelodi Sundowns FC reaffirmed their leading position as South African football kings on Thursday evening with a seventh successive league title after thrashing Kaizer Chiefs 5-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

The reigning African Football League (AFL) champions, who saw their second TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title hopes dashed after bowing out of the competition at the hands of Espérance just a week ago put smiles on the faces of their fans with the resounding victory that sees them make it seven in a row.

Thursday’s commanding victory over Chiefs sees the former African champions clinch the domestic title with six games to spare and brings their league titles to 17 in total, a record that sees them extend their lead as the club with the most league titles in South Africa ahead of their rivals Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.  

Thursday’s victory came courtesy of Sundowns’ new signees, as to a brace from Tashreeq Matthews was accompanied by strikes from Matias Esquivel, Lucas Ribeiro and Thembinkosi Lorch. Chiefs’ consolation came from Mduduzi Shabalala’s converted spot kick.

While the league title chase has been wrapped up with six games to spare, Ribeiro on 11 league goals will be aiming to finish as the league’s top goalscorer on his debut, with the race for the golden boot between him and Iqraam Rayners (14) of Stellenbosch FC as well as Orlando Pirates’ Tshegofatso Mabasa (13).

In addition to the league title, a double is on the cards for the champions as they shift focus to a semi-final cup game this weekend against Stellenbosch who are second on the table.

Mamelodi Sundowns FC domestic titles:

1988, 1989/90, 1992/93, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2013/14, 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24.