Mamelodi Sundowns
Encyclopedia
Mamelodi Sundowns are a South Africa
n football (soccer)
club that plays in the Premier Soccer League
.
Since 2003, Sundowns are owned by rand billionaire
Patrice Motsepe
.
The club's nickname, The Brazilians, is a reference to their uniforms, which echo those of the Brazilian national team
.
The club was originally formed in the early 1960s by a group of youngsters, among them were Reginald Hartze, Joey Lawrence and Bernard Hartze, to mention but a few, and it became an official football club in 1970.
The club was affiliated to the Federation Professional Soccer League in 1973 and the same year reached the finals of the Coca Cola Cup where they played against Berea United and lost 5–3.
In 1978, the Federation Professional Soccer League threw their weight behind the then National Professional Soccer League. This meant the end of the Federation Professional Soccer League and the subsequent relegation of Sundowns to the second division.
For five years ‘Downs battled to gain promotion and during that period the Sundowns management resolved to disband the club but instead were approached by the late Boy Mafa who bought the franchise for R10000.00, a transaction facilitated by then lawyer, Dikgang Moseneke. This resulted in the club relocating to Mamelodi in the early 1980s.
In 1984 South African football was the first sport to become non-racial and the National Soccer League was formed incorporating the top clubs in the country.
Sundowns earned promotion to the NSL in 1985 but in their first season in top-flight soccer, they found the going difficult until Zola Mahobe came on board and appointed Ben Segale as their coach.
In 1988, the ownership of the club fell in the hands of Standard Bank, which repossessed the club from Mr. Zola Mahobe. The Twin Pharmaceutical Group, owned by the Krok brothers, then bought the club from Standard Bank.
Sundowns enjoyed a golden period of success in the late 90s that saw them pick up three consecutive PSL titles (the PSL replaced the NSL at the start of the 1996/97 season) from 1998 to 2000 as well as being Bob Save Super Bowl winners in 1998 and Rothmans Cup winners in 1999.
The club reached the final of the 2001 CAF Champions League
, their best performance in continental competition, where they were defeated 4–1 on aggregate by Egyptian club Al-Ahly
.
In 2003, mining magnate Patrice Motsepe bought 51% shares in the club and in 2004 he took total control of the club by buying the remaining shares and thus became the sole owner and shareholder of the club.
Sundowns picked up their first piece of silverware for six years in May 2006 when co-coaches Miguel Gamondi and Neil Tovey
oversaw Sundowns’ triumph in the PSL, the seventh league title in their history.
After a slow start to the 2006–07 season, Gamondi and Tovey were relieved of their positions and Gordon Igesund
took over as head coach. Under Igesund, Sundowns defended their title in emphatic style, running away with the trophy. They failed to win the ‘double’ losing to Ajax Cape Town in the 2007 ABSA Cup final.
After a stuttering start to the 2009/2010 season, an impressive run through the second half of the season saw the club to second position in the final league standings. The club nevertheless parted ways with coach Hristo Stoichkov
.
In the 2010/2001 season, Antonio Lopez Habas who was the assistant coach under Hristo Stoichkov, took over the reigns of the senior team. Sundowns made its best ever start to a League season and topped the league standings at the end of the first round. The secon round of the league proved more competetitive and Sundowns were in the hunt for the league title until the second last match. Habas resigned in February citing personal reasons and went back to Spain. Assistant coach Ian Gorowa, was appointed as interim Head Coach.A chaotic fixture list which saw an abandonded match scheduled in between 2 other matches, eventually cost Sundowns the title, finishing 4th, within 2 points of the winners.
A strategic decision to play Total Football was announced by Club President Patrice Motsepe before the start of the 2011/2012 season. Sundowns appointed, Netherlands and former Barcelona player and assistant coach, Johan Neeskens as Head Coach.In addition the Club undertook the biggest football development project on the entire African continent when it announced a partnership with Johan Cruyff Football Development (JCFD). In terms of this three year deal 4 JCFD coaches are based at the Mamelodi Sundowns Youth Academy,in Pretoria to train the club's local coaches and youth players in the Johan Cruyff football philosophy.
Djalma Cavalcante
Walter Da Silva
Hristo Stoichkov
Henri Michel
Paul Dolezar Reinhard Fabisch
Clemens Westerhof
Ted Dumitru
Viktor Bondarenko
Antonio Lopez Habas
Gordon Igesund
Neil Tovey
Stanley Tshabalala
Jorge Acuña
Siaka Tiene
Ernest Mtawali Raphael Chukwu Mark Anderson Mbulelo Mabizela
Joas Magolego Michael Manzini
Phil Masinga
Bennett Mnguni
Sizwe Motaung
Daniel Mudau
Godfrey Sapula
Isaac Shai
Sibusiso Zuma
José Torrealba
Gift Kampamba
Peter Ndlovu
vs Santos (16/8/98, PSL); vs Vaal Professionals (3/2/99, PSL)
Domingues Elias Pelembe Solomon Okpako
Nyasha Mushekwi
Method Mwanjali
Simba Sithole
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club that plays in the Premier Soccer League
Premier Soccer League
Premier Soccer League is the trading name of the National Soccer League of South Africa. The top league is the ABSA Premiership, sponsored by ABSA...
.
Since 2003, Sundowns are owned by rand billionaire
Black billionaires
According to the 2011 Forbes Billionaire List, Nigeria's Aliko Dangote with a net worth of $13.8 billion is the richest Black person in the world...
Patrice Motsepe
Patrice Motsepe
Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe is a South African mining magnate and 'oligarch' as he was major beneficiary of the South African governments Black Economic Empowerment policies. His company, African Rainbow Minerals, has interests in gold, ferrous metals, base metals, and platinum...
.
The club's nickname, The Brazilians, is a reference to their uniforms, which echo those of the Brazilian national team
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
.
History
Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club originated from Marabastad, a cosmopolitan area North West of the Pretoria CBD.The club was originally formed in the early 1960s by a group of youngsters, among them were Reginald Hartze, Joey Lawrence and Bernard Hartze, to mention but a few, and it became an official football club in 1970.
The club was affiliated to the Federation Professional Soccer League in 1973 and the same year reached the finals of the Coca Cola Cup where they played against Berea United and lost 5–3.
In 1978, the Federation Professional Soccer League threw their weight behind the then National Professional Soccer League. This meant the end of the Federation Professional Soccer League and the subsequent relegation of Sundowns to the second division.
For five years ‘Downs battled to gain promotion and during that period the Sundowns management resolved to disband the club but instead were approached by the late Boy Mafa who bought the franchise for R10000.00, a transaction facilitated by then lawyer, Dikgang Moseneke. This resulted in the club relocating to Mamelodi in the early 1980s.
In 1984 South African football was the first sport to become non-racial and the National Soccer League was formed incorporating the top clubs in the country.
Sundowns earned promotion to the NSL in 1985 but in their first season in top-flight soccer, they found the going difficult until Zola Mahobe came on board and appointed Ben Segale as their coach.
In 1988, the ownership of the club fell in the hands of Standard Bank, which repossessed the club from Mr. Zola Mahobe. The Twin Pharmaceutical Group, owned by the Krok brothers, then bought the club from Standard Bank.
Sundowns enjoyed a golden period of success in the late 90s that saw them pick up three consecutive PSL titles (the PSL replaced the NSL at the start of the 1996/97 season) from 1998 to 2000 as well as being Bob Save Super Bowl winners in 1998 and Rothmans Cup winners in 1999.
The club reached the final of the 2001 CAF Champions League
CAF Champions League
The CAF Champions League is an annual international club football competition run by the Confederation of African Football . The top club sides from Africa's football leagues are invited to participate in this competition, which is the premier club football competition on the continent and the...
, their best performance in continental competition, where they were defeated 4–1 on aggregate by Egyptian club Al-Ahly
Al-Ahly
Al-Ahly Sports Club , commonly known as simply Al-Ahly, is an Egyptian sporting club. Founded in April 1907, Al-Ahly was named in 2000 by the Confederation of African Football as the "African Club of the Century"...
.
In 2003, mining magnate Patrice Motsepe bought 51% shares in the club and in 2004 he took total control of the club by buying the remaining shares and thus became the sole owner and shareholder of the club.
Sundowns picked up their first piece of silverware for six years in May 2006 when co-coaches Miguel Gamondi and Neil Tovey
Neil Tovey
Neil Tovey is a former South African footballer and now a coach. He was born in Pretoria.-Playing career:"Mokoko", as he is nicknamed, is a former captain of the South Africa national football team, and in 1996 became the first white player to raise the African Cup of Nations trophy...
oversaw Sundowns’ triumph in the PSL, the seventh league title in their history.
After a slow start to the 2006–07 season, Gamondi and Tovey were relieved of their positions and Gordon Igesund
Gordon Igesund
Gordon Igesund is a former South African football player and coach who became manager of Premier Soccer League club Moroka Swallows in 2010.-Playing career:...
took over as head coach. Under Igesund, Sundowns defended their title in emphatic style, running away with the trophy. They failed to win the ‘double’ losing to Ajax Cape Town in the 2007 ABSA Cup final.
After a stuttering start to the 2009/2010 season, an impressive run through the second half of the season saw the club to second position in the final league standings. The club nevertheless parted ways with coach Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov Stoichkov , sometimes Stoitchkov; born 8 February 1966 in Plovdiv) is a retired Bulgarian footballer. He is regarded as one of the best footballers of his generation and the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time. Nicknamed The Dagger , The Dog , The Modern Left...
.
In the 2010/2001 season, Antonio Lopez Habas who was the assistant coach under Hristo Stoichkov, took over the reigns of the senior team. Sundowns made its best ever start to a League season and topped the league standings at the end of the first round. The secon round of the league proved more competetitive and Sundowns were in the hunt for the league title until the second last match. Habas resigned in February citing personal reasons and went back to Spain. Assistant coach Ian Gorowa, was appointed as interim Head Coach.A chaotic fixture list which saw an abandonded match scheduled in between 2 other matches, eventually cost Sundowns the title, finishing 4th, within 2 points of the winners.
A strategic decision to play Total Football was announced by Club President Patrice Motsepe before the start of the 2011/2012 season. Sundowns appointed, Netherlands and former Barcelona player and assistant coach, Johan Neeskens as Head Coach.In addition the Club undertook the biggest football development project on the entire African continent when it announced a partnership with Johan Cruyff Football Development (JCFD). In terms of this three year deal 4 JCFD coaches are based at the Mamelodi Sundowns Youth Academy,in Pretoria to train the club's local coaches and youth players in the Johan Cruyff football philosophy.
Notable former coaches
Ángel Cappa Oscar FullonéOscar Fulloné
Luis Oscar Fulloné is an Argentine football coach and former player. He is currently coaching KAC Kenitra in the Botola.In 1968 he joined Aston Villa F.C. of England, but never played for the first team....
Djalma Cavalcante
Djalma Cavalcante
Djalma Cavalcante is a former Brazilian football player and coach who is currently director of football at the Angolan club Petro Atlético.-Coaching career:...
Walter Da Silva
Walter da Silva
Walter Cesar Nogueira da Silva was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a striker. Active primarily in South Africa – scoring a total of 162 goals for Highlands Park, Powerlines, Hellenic and Berea Park – Da Silva was also a football manager, and had coached Orlando...
Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov Stoichkov , sometimes Stoitchkov; born 8 February 1966 in Plovdiv) is a retired Bulgarian footballer. He is regarded as one of the best footballers of his generation and the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time. Nicknamed The Dagger , The Dog , The Modern Left...
Henri Michel
Henri Michel
-External links:...
Paul Dolezar Reinhard Fabisch
Reinhard Fabisch
Reinhard Fabisch was a German football manager who was last employed as manager of the Benin national side, a position he took up in December 2007 and left in May 2008.-Coaching career:...
Clemens Westerhof
Clemens Westerhof
Clemens Westerhof is a Dutch football manager, who has worked in various football positions on the African continent since 1989.He is most noted for his success with the Nigerian national team...
Ted Dumitru
Ted Dumitru
Theodore "Ted" Dumitru is the current Technical Director of Mamelodi Sundowns in the South African Premier Soccer League...
Viktor Bondarenko
Viktor Bondarenko
Viktor Ivanovich "Bondas" Bondarenko is a Russian professional football coach and a former player who is mostly known for coaching in Africa for many years. He coached Mozambique twice.In 2009, he managed Primeiro de Agosto, but was fired in July....
Antonio Lopez Habas
Antonio López Habas
Antonio López Habas is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a central defender, and a current coach.-Playing career:...
Gordon Igesund
Gordon Igesund
Gordon Igesund is a former South African football player and coach who became manager of Premier Soccer League club Moroka Swallows in 2010.-Playing career:...
Neil Tovey
Neil Tovey
Neil Tovey is a former South African footballer and now a coach. He was born in Pretoria.-Playing career:"Mokoko", as he is nicknamed, is a former captain of the South Africa national football team, and in 1996 became the first white player to raise the African Cup of Nations trophy...
Stanley Tshabalala
Notable former players
Roger FeutmbaRoger Feutmba
Roger Feutmba is a former international football player. He was named in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, 1990 African Nations Cup and 1992 African Nations Cup squads for Cameroon....
Jorge Acuña
Jorge Acuña
Jorge Acuña is a Chilean footballer. He is currently playing for Unión San Felipe on Chilean Primera División- Early career :In Chile, Acuña made his professional debut with Unión Española in 1999...
Siaka Tiene
Siaka Tiéné
Siaka Tiéné is an Ivorian football midfielder who currently plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain. He is usually a left sided defender, although he can also play as a holding midfielder or winger.- Career :...
Ernest Mtawali Raphael Chukwu Mark Anderson Mbulelo Mabizela
Mbulelo Mabizela
Mbulelo Mabizela is a South African footballer who plays as a midfielder and defender for Bidvest Wits and South Africa....
Joas Magolego Michael Manzini
Michael Manzini
Mike Manzini is a South African football defender. He spent his entire career at Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns and also played for South Africa....
Phil Masinga
Bennett Mnguni
Bennett Mnguni
Thabo Bennett Mnguni is a South African football midfielder for Okktha United FC.-Career:...
Sizwe Motaung
Sizwe Motaung
Sizwe Motaung was a South African football player who played for Jomo Cosmos, Mamelodi Sundowns, St. Gallen, CD Tenerife, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, as well at international level for the national side....
Daniel Mudau
Daniel Mudau
Daniel Mudau is a South African former footballer who played at both professional and international levels as a striker.-Career:...
Godfrey Sapula
Godfrey Sapula
Godfrey Zolile Sapula is a South African football midfielder for Premier Soccer League club Platinum Stars and South Africa.* Year joined Sundowns: 2003...
Isaac Shai
Isaac Shai
Isaac Shai is a South African former footballer who played at both professional and international levels as a midfielder. Shai played club football for Mamelodi Sundowns; he also earned seven caps for the South African national side between 1997 and 2002.-External links:...
Sibusiso Zuma
Sibusiso Zuma
Sibusiso Wiseman Zuma is a South African professional football player playing for Supersport United in the Premier Soccer League.- Career :...
José Torrealba
José Torrealba
José Torrealba is a Venezuelan football striker who currently plays for Venezuelan First Division club Mineros de Guayana and the Venezuelan national team. He is nicknamed "El Buda"....
Gift Kampamba
Gift Kampamba
Gift Kampamba is a Zambian professional footballer, who currently plays for Green Buffaloes F.C..-External links:*...
Peter Ndlovu
Peter Ndlovu
Peter Ndlovu is a Zimbabwean footballer, who plays as a striker.-Coventry City:Ndlovu was originally spotted by John Sillett, prior to his official signing from Highlanders by Terry Butcher in July 1991...
Honours
- PSL League Champion: 5
1997/98, 98/99, 99/00, 05/06, 06/07 - NSL League Champion: 3
1988, 90, 93 - BobSave Super Bowl: 1
1998 - Mainstay Cup: 1
1986 - Rothmans Cup: 1
1999 - JPS Cup: 1
1990 - BP Top 8 Cup Winners: 2
1988, 90 - Ohlsson's Challenge Cup: 1
1988 - Charity Spectacular Winners: 4
1991, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006 - SAA Supa 8 Winners: 1
2007 - Nedbank Cup Winners: 1
2008
Club records
- Most starts: Daniel Mudau 390
- Most goals: Daniel Mudau 172
- Most capped player: Sizwe Motaung 24 (South Africa)
- Most starts in a season: Themba Mnguni 48 (1997/98)
- Most goals in a season: Bennett Masinga 33 (1990)
- Record victory: 7–1 vs QwaQwa Stars (19/4/88, NSL);
vs Santos (16/8/98, PSL); vs Vaal Professionals (3/2/99, PSL)
- Record defeat: 1–6 vs Africa Sports (4/11/00, CAF Champions League)
Premier Soccer League record
- 20102010 in sports2010 in sports will describe the year's events in world sport.-January:* Alabama defeats Texas 37–21 in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, thereby claiming the 2009 National Championship in College Football....
/20112011 in sports2011 in sports will describe the year's events in world sport.-Alpine Skiing:* October 23, 2010 – March 20, 2011 –2011 Alpine Skiing World Cup**Men Overall Title: Ivica Kostelić of Croatia**Women Overall Title: Maria Riesch of Germany...
– 4th - 20092009 in sports-Alpine skiing:* Alpine World Ski Championships 2009 held at Val d'Isère, Savoy, France-American football:* The Florida Gators defeat the Oklahoma Sooners 24-14 in front of a Dolphin Stadium record crowd of 78,468 to win the 2009 BCS National Championship Game...
/20102010 in sports2010 in sports will describe the year's events in world sport.-January:* Alabama defeats Texas 37–21 in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, thereby claiming the 2009 National Championship in College Football....
– 2nd - 20082008 in sports2008 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* Louisiana State University Tigers defeat The Ohio State University Buckeyes 38-24 in the 2008 BCS National Championship Game, thus becoming the first two-time BCS National Champions, and the first BCS titlists with two...
/20092009 in sports-Alpine skiing:* Alpine World Ski Championships 2009 held at Val d'Isère, Savoy, France-American football:* The Florida Gators defeat the Oklahoma Sooners 24-14 in front of a Dolphin Stadium record crowd of 78,468 to win the 2009 BCS National Championship Game...
– 9th - 20072007 in sports2007 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* February 4 – Indianapolis Colts beat the Chicago Bears 29-17 to win Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The win was the Colts' first Super Bowl Championship since their 1970-71 team, when...
/20082008 in sports2008 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* Louisiana State University Tigers defeat The Ohio State University Buckeyes 38-24 in the 2008 BCS National Championship Game, thus becoming the first two-time BCS National Champions, and the first BCS titlists with two...
– 4th - 20062006 in sports2006 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* January 2, Fiesta Bowl – Ohio State 34-20 Notre Dame* January 2, Sugar Bowl – West Virginia 38-35 Georgia...
/20072007 in sports2007 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* February 4 – Indianapolis Colts beat the Chicago Bears 29-17 to win Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The win was the Colts' first Super Bowl Championship since their 1970-71 team, when...
– 1st - 20052005 in sports2005 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Bode Miller ** Women's overall season champion: Anja Pärson -American football:...
/20062006 in sports2006 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* January 2, Fiesta Bowl – Ohio State 34-20 Notre Dame* January 2, Sugar Bowl – West Virginia 38-35 Georgia...
– 1st - 20042004 in sports2004 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* College football Bowl Championship Series :**January 1 – Rose Bowl – USC 28, Michigan 14...
/20052005 in sports2005 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Bode Miller ** Women's overall season champion: Anja Pärson -American football:...
– 3rd - 20032003 in sports2003 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season championship: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season championship: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:...
/20042004 in sports2004 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* College football Bowl Championship Series :**January 1 – Rose Bowl – USC 28, Michigan 14...
– 10th - 20022002 in sports2002 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Michaela Dorfmeister, Austria-American football:...
/20032003 in sports2003 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season championship: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season championship: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:...
– 10th - 20012001 in sports2001 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:...
/20022002 in sports2002 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Michaela Dorfmeister, Austria-American football:...
– 5th - 20002000 in sports2000 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Renate Götschl, Austria-American football:...
/20012001 in sports2001 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:...
– 3rd - 19991999 in sports1999 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Lasse Kjus, Norway** Women's overall season champion: Alexandra Meissnitzer, Austria-American football:...
/20002000 in sports2000 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Renate Götschl, Austria-American football:...
– 1st - 19981998 in sports1998 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Katja Seizinger, Germany-American football:...
/19991999 in sports1999 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Lasse Kjus, Norway** Women's overall season champion: Alexandra Meissnitzer, Austria-American football:...
– 1st - 19971997 in sports1997 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Luc Alphand, France** Women's overall season champion: Pernilla Wiberg, Sweden-American football:...
/19981998 in sports1998 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Katja Seizinger, Germany-American football:...
– 1st - 19961996 in sports1996 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Lasse Kjus, Norway** Women's overall season champion: Katja Seizinger, Germany-American football:...
/19971997 in sports1997 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Luc Alphand, France** Women's overall season champion: Pernilla Wiberg, Sweden-American football:...
– 6th
Club officials/Technical team
- President:
Patrice MotsepePatrice MotsepePatrice Tlhopane Motsepe is a South African mining magnate and 'oligarch' as he was major beneficiary of the South African governments Black Economic Empowerment policies. His company, African Rainbow Minerals, has interests in gold, ferrous metals, base metals, and platinum... - CEO: Kenneth Makhanya
- Team manager: Michael ManziniMichael ManziniMike Manzini is a South African football defender. He spent his entire career at Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns and also played for South Africa....
- Coach:
Johan NeeskensJohan NeeskensJohannes Jacobus "Johan" Neeskens is a Dutch football manager and former midfielder. As a player, he was an important member of the Dutch national team that finished as runners-up in the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups. Former England manager Alf Ramsey said Neeskens was "as good as any player" in... - Assistant coaches: Jan Derks, Harold Legodi & Alex BapelaAlex BapelaAlex Bapela is a South African former footballer who played at both professional and international levels as a midfielder. Bapela played club football for Real Rovers and Mamelodi Sundowns; he also earned six caps for the South African national side between 1999 and 2000.-External links:...
- Goalkeeper coach:
Jon Ibarrola
2011–2012 First team squad
As of September 12, 2011On loan
Foreigners
In the South African PSL, only five non-South African nationals can be registered. Players with foreign and South African citizenship do not count as foreigners.Domingues Elias Pelembe Solomon Okpako
Solomon Okpako
Solomon Okpako is a Nigerian footballer who currently plays for South African Premier Soccer League side Mamelodi Sundowns.-Career:...
Nyasha Mushekwi
Nyasha Mushekwi
Nyasha Mushekwi is an Zimbabwean football player who currently plays for South African Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns. He was the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League's top scorer in the 2009 season, playing for CAPS United...
Method Mwanjali
Method Mwanjali
Method Mwanjali is a Zimbabwean football player who plays as a defender for Mamelodi Sundowns in the South African Premier Soccer League. He previously played for CAPS United, Shabanie Mine and Wankie FC in Zimbabwe....
Simba Sithole