Mamelodi Sundowns Defeats Supersport United
By Lerato Mpembe
Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off their 2024-25 Betway Premiership season in style, continuing their dominance as defending champions with a 2-0 victory over their neighbours SuperSport United at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday. Goals from Iqraam Rayners and Lucas Ribeiro in the second half secured the win, extending Sundowns’ remarkable record in opening fixtures and setting a strong tone for the season ahead.
The Pretoria-based club, which has now won the last seven Premiership titles, has consistently maintained an unbeaten record in the opening matches of their title defence. With Tuesday’s win, Sundowns continue a six-season streak of victories in their first game, making it seven straight seasons without a defeat in their league openers. This consistency reinforces their status as the dominant force in South African football.
Sundowns’ Consistent Start to Title Defences
Sundowns’ triumph against SuperSport United follows a similar pattern established since the 2019-20 campaign, where they also opened their season with a win over the same opponents. The two Pretoria rivals have faced each other multiple times in opening fixtures, and Sundowns have consistently come out on top, showcasing their strength and depth as a team.
Rayners and Ribeiro played pivotal roles in securing the victory, with both finding the back of the net in the second half. Rayners, a player who has shown great promise, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Ribeiro, continuing his impressive form from the previous season, added the second goal, cementing the win for Sundowns.
With this victory, Sundowns continue their legacy as one of the most successful clubs in South African football, and they remain the team to beat in the Betway Premiership. Their latest win also highlights the tactical brilliance of their coaching team, led by head coach Rulani Mokwena, who has seamlessly carried on from the foundation laid by his predecessors.
The Historical Context of Defending Champions in Opening Matches
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) was launched 29 years ago, and since then, defending champions have often faced challenges in their opening matches of the following season. However, Sundowns have defied this trend, emerging victorious 16 times out of 28 season openers as titleholders. This remarkable record places them among the most successful defending champions in PSL history.
While some defending champions have stumbled in their opening matches, Sundowns’ consistent performance sets them apart. Out of the 28 opening fixtures for defending champions, seven have ended in draws, and five in losses. Sundowns have experienced only two losses in this category, falling to Umtata Bush Bucks in 2000 and AmaZulu in 2007. These defeats have long been overshadowed by their more recent dominance, as they have not lost an opening match as champions since 2007.
Other defending champions who have lost their opening matches include Orlando Pirates in 2003, when they were beaten by SuperSport United, and SuperSport themselves in 2010, when Bidvest Wits handed them a 3-0 defeat. Bidvest Wits, in turn, faced defeat in 2017 against Cape Town City, showcasing the unpredictable nature of PSL opening fixtures for defending champions.
Sundowns’ Recent Record in Season Openers
Sundowns’ record in recent years further cements their place as one of South Africa’s most formidable football clubs. Last year, they started their league season with a 2-1 away victory over Sekhukhune United, with goals from Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro. This win set the tone for a season that ultimately ended with Sundowns lifting their seventh consecutive league title.
Performances in the first match of the season are often seen as a key indicator of a club’s readiness to defend their title. For Sundowns, their success in these opening games highlights their preparation, squad depth, and ability to rise to the occasion, even under the pressure of being defending champions.
Here’s a breakdown of the performances of defending PSL champions in their first game of the following season:
Season Fixture Result
1997-98 Cape Town Spurs 0-3 Manning Rangers Loss
1998-99 Cape Town Spurs 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns Draw
1999-00 SuperSport United 1-4 Mamelodi Sundowns Win
2000-01 Mamelodi Sundowns 0-1 Umtata Bush Bucks Loss
2001-02 Orlando Pirates 2-1 Umtata Bush Bucks Win
2002-03 Jomo Cosmos 2-3 Santos Win
2003-04 SuperSport United 2-0 Orlando Pirates Loss
2004-05 Dynamos 1-4 Kaizer Chiefs Win
2005-06 Bush Bucks 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs Win
2006-07 AmaZulu 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns Draw
2007-08 Mamelodi Sundowns 1-2 AmaZulu Loss
2008-09 SuperSport United 1-0 Free State Stars Win
2009-10 Maritzburg United 1-1 SuperSport United Draw
2010-11 Bidvest Wits 3-0 SuperSport United Loss
2011-12 Black Leopards 0-2 Orlando Pirates Win
2012-13 Orlando Pirates 2-1 Lamontville Golden Arrows Win
2013-14 Mpumalanga Black Aces 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs Win
2014-15 Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Maritzburg United Draw
2015-16 Chippa United 0-0 Kaizer Chiefs Draw
2016-17 Maritzburg United 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns Draw
2017-18 Bidvest Wits 0-1 Cape Town City Loss
2018-19 Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Kaizer Chiefs Draw
2019-20 Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 SuperSport United Win
2020-21 Kaizer Chiefs 0-3 Mamelodi Sundowns Win
2021-22 Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 AmaZulu Win
2022-23 Cape Town City 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns Win
2023-24 Sekhukhune United 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns Win
2024-25 Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 SuperSport United Win
These results illustrate the resilience and consistency of defending champions in the PSL, with Sundowns standing out as the team with the most impressive record in recent years.
Manqoba Mngqithi’s Legacy and Rulani Mokwena’s Influence
Sundowns’ success cannot be discussed without acknowledging the work of their former co-coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, whose tenure helped shape the team’s current success. Mngqithi, alongside Mokwena, played an instrumental role in building a team that has not only dominated South African football but also made strides on the continental stage in the CAF Champions League.
In a recent article by Central News, titled “Sundowns Continue to Thrive Under Mngqithi and Mokwena’s Leadership,” the duo’s partnership was highlighted as a key reason for Sundowns’ ongoing success. Mngqithi’s departure from the coaching setup after the 2021-22 season left Mokwena in sole charge, but the transition has been seamless, with Sundowns continuing to dominate the PSL and beyond.
Dj Pots, a well-known football analyst, also weighed in on Sundowns’ performance this season, praising the club’s ability to adapt to new challenges while maintaining their winning ways. In an article published on Central News, Dj Pots remarked that Sundowns’ “depth in squad, tactical flexibility, and ability to grind out results even when not at their best” are the reasons for their sustained success.
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