As the final whistle sounded at Goble Park in Bethlehem to close the curtain on the 2018/19 season, Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned Absa Premiership champions in front of a jubilant crowd of our travelling supporters.
Club president Patrice Motsepe was also among those in the stands and watched on as the Brazilians showed grit to stay top of the pile.
It was a big one, as coach Pitso Mosimane had alluded to in the build up to this final match of the campaign against Free State Stars, who were tricky opponents, but in the end Downs emerged 1-0 winners to clinch the title.
This is the club’s ninth championship and extends our record in the Premier Soccer League era, while Mosimane was confirmed as the only coach in SA topflight to manage four titles with one team.
The opening minutes were tense given the magnitude of the fixture for both teams – log leaders Sundowns needing to keep winning to make sure they are guaranteed to finish top of the table, while Stars were desperate to avoid automatic relegation to the National First Division.
Only one side – Masandawana – achieved their objective.
And goalkeeper Denis Onyango was called into action early on as he was tested by the Stars attack – pretty much throughout the game. The Ugandan shot stopper, who was earlier this year crowned Africa’s No.1 goalkeeper and named in the CAF Best XI alongside Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, was voted Man of the Match on Saturday afternoon.
It looked like Downs would have to dig deep when talisman Gaston Sirino had to be taken off due to a muscle strain some five minutes before the half-time break and speedster Phakamani Mahlambi was brought on.
But ‘Phaka’ made an immediate impact, scoring moments after he’d come off the bench to give the Brazilians the lead and what would eventually be the winning goal, which guaranteed the title and relegated Stars.
Mosimane’s emotions were clear as he had predicted that it would be a tense game, just as it has been a difficult season with the fixture schedule in both the domestic league and on the continent with our CAF commitments.
In the end Downs managed the encounter and kept a stubborn Stars outfit at bay to confirm a record ninth title.
How Downs line-up up:
Onyango, Morena, Lebusa, Nascimento, Langerman, Kekana, Coetzee, Vilakazi, Zwane, Sirino, Maboe.
Subs: Mweene, Lakay, Brockie, Mabunda, Mahlambi, Ngcongca, Arendse
5/11/2019 I’m pleased by the manner in which sundownsfc.co.za covers this sort of issue. Usually on point, often controversial, consistently thoughtful as well as stimulating.
I am overwhelmed with joy that the team under construction, with its heavy legs from a tight schedule of fixtures has done it again. This is the very team that at one time made supporters to be emotional from some draws and losses. We kept going encouraging one another on patience and keeping the faith. Those who kept the faith are now encouraged and those who were in doubt are happy now, that is the purpose of it.We are al happy and love covers it all. This was the team of a combined effort, we did not have those deadly combinations upfront, this is why we ought to really celebrate. We have many reasons to celebrate this Championship, it was not easy. The plans for the coach to play in the Caf and win the League, we all saw it come. Thank you coach! You are the man! Built from pressure, you speak out things and those who listen to you carefully will understand you better. You have a team to support you pursue your goals. We are happy. Sundowns showed character and experience, great determination and unwavering faith that they can achieve their set goals. Continue to be dangerous, remember you have an unfinished business in Africa,CAF, think again and go again for the bigger one. The League had to go to the right team,yes it was meant for a time such as this! The best had to win the league.KBY
The best team in the southern hemisphere. The endurance displayed by the team is simply incredible
Eish I am still wondering if the Appeal by Khoza won’t affect us. Pirates is used to winning games in the boardroom
Thank you EVERY MEMBER OF THIS YELLOW MACHINE, Supporters, Players, Technical team, Medical team, Fitness team and the beautiful yellow nation. next season we will be hot.
Am very happy guys.Well done indeed.U made us proud of u.We will always behind u
Our Coach and boys deserve Championship they worked hard until the last whistle, let me take this opportunity an say Congratulations and salute ?????
Congratulations team kby hope you come regenerated next year… enjoy your holiday … Next year we have to get two to three trophies…
Congratulations to everyone who contributed to this title against heavy odds both on and off the field.. Well done guys??
Well done my beloved team!What a season we had!Just like in English Premier League…If Sundowns win their last two games they are champs,if Man City do the same they will be crowned and so it happens!Am still convinced if we won that semi-final in CAF we would have lifted that trophy!I still maintained that the only way an”other” team will win the league is if their”Boss” who is also the chairman of PSL(Mr Khoza) but it will not happen!My players for end of season accolades or Players of the season: Sirino,Themba Zwane,Hlompho Kekana with the goalkeeper of the season ,Denis,Defender of the season,Nascimento!
I am very proud and blessed to be a Kaboyellow supporter.
“Thanks to the Management, Technical Staff, Couch Pitso, Players and the President for making sure we smile wayawaya.”
Looking forward to the 10th League Title.
Thank you, we are behind you wayawaya
Thank you Pitso and the team, I am a proud supporter, keep up the good work guys, we know it doesn’t come easy, it’s hard work and dedication, that you put in, but it’s our nature as the Sundowanas to try and win at all cost.
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Plz Pitso promote 4rm our development
structures. We have
M Modise a left back,
S Mkhize a central
midfielder, Moloisane
a right back, K Kubheka goal keeper & P Mkuma
Bring back T Mukumela & Makgalwa plz buy less promote more
Remmember we must
Create players for bafana bafana
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PLEASE UPDATE THE WEBSITE. PSL 2017/2018 AND PSL 2018/2019, and CAF Super Cup are not on the team’s “Honours” as yet
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