Mamelodi Sundowns confidently maintain their status as undisputed leaders in South African football and are currently the best team on the African continent. While other teams are either still adapting to their leagues or trying to establish themselves in continental football, Sundowns have already distinguished themselves from the competition.
This coming Saturday, the team will represent the continent as the reigning champion on the world stage, participating in the Africa Cup of Nations-Asia-Pacific Union final against their Asian rivals, Al Ahli. The match will take place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
This success is not accidental; it is the result of a decade of hard work and determination following the capture of the last continental title—the long-awaited CAF Champions League in 2016. The team has also managed to ignore external criticism, despite often being mocked as a 'small club' due to a smaller fan base compared to traditional local rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. This criticism served as motivation rather than an obstacle.
The club's desire to participate in all tournaments, including the CAF Super Cup later this year, remains a significant advantage. The squad is characterized not only by deep financial resources but also by high player quality. Bafana Bafana national team coach Pitso Mosimane included 13 players from Sundowns in his 30-man squad for two CHAN qualifiers against Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena next Saturday and against Eritrea in Cairo on September 30, as well as for a friendly match against Egypt in Cairo on October 4.
This was expected, as Sundowns knows what is required for continental and international competitions, having the highest representation (10 players) at the recent World Cup, where Bafana achieved a historic playoff appearance. Thanks to significant financial reserves, the club does not hesitate to spend large sums to attract top talent from across the continent and abroad. They currently boast five of the country's best full-backs, having signed Tabanga Matuludi and Deano van Reuen, to a squad that already includes Khuliso Mudau, Tapelo Moreno, and Zico Mndunyevu.
Furthermore, Ricardo Gossa's return on loan from Siwelele provides them with another Bafana national team goalkeeper alongside the national and club starting goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. This clarity of purpose sets Sundowns apart from others: they clearly understand what they want to achieve in every competition—to win. Therefore, they do not delay in the transfer market, prioritizing quality over quantity, unlike their closest competitors.
Although critics may argue that accumulating the best talents in the country is pure greed and a waste of player potential, in the broader perspective, it creates one of the healthiest environments for squad depth and competition at both the local and continental levels. Mosimane is not concerned about the concentration of talent in Sundowns. He understands that he must select players based on form and regular playing time, and he uses a tactic of patience to see how the competition for starting positions will develop.
The fact that Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso also does not accept half-measures helps. The Portuguese tactician openly expresses his opinion, demanding that his team and players receive deserved recognition at home while simultaneously raising the flag on the continent. Although his team management sometimes borders on arrogance, Cardoso's players and staff likely see him as a fierce leader striving for success on all fronts. This is why they will go to the nation's capital to do what they do best: fight for any available trophy. For many, this serves as a role model. That is why they deserve full recognition as the standard setters at home and the leading team on the continent right now.