It had been a long title drought for Mamelodi Sundowns when they signed a little known Dutch defender who’d spent 13 years of his topflight career at a single club.
When Alje Schut joined Masandawana, the championship had been eluding us for five straight seasons and hurting our street cred…
The 31-year-old was signed from FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie to give leadership at rearguard, but in the end his role was much more significant. Much more.
Upon his arrival at Chloorkop in December 2012, with a mandate to stabilize the ship, get the team out of the relegation zone and then rebuild in a few months, coach Pitso Mosimane needed a dependable ally in the dressing room.
There were several candidates, but ‘Jingles’ trusted Schut with the armband and the tide changed almost instantly, though a Top 8 finish proved a step too far that season.
Schut, a left footed central defender who charmed journalists with his down-to-earth demeanour and became a crowd favourite with his commitment and never-say-die attitude became the first Sundowns captain since Michael Manzini seven years prior to lift a league title when we were crowned champions in 2014.
Being on the fore front was no overwhelming challenge for Schut – after more than a decade at Utrecht, the defender became the club captain as a badge of honour for his true commitment and loyalty as a one club man.
His contribution at Sundowns was not just limited to being Mosimane’s confidant and leading the troops on the road back to the glory days, but Schut was an aerial weapon as well and scored nine goals in 67 Absa Premiership matches.
After three very memorable years, the skipper went back home, but he’d made his mark and very much left a lasting impression at Sundowns and among the fans.
Since first lifting the trophy to end a painful seven-year title drought, Mosimane’s squad has added three more to the cabinet and if ever there was a player that symbolizes the return to winning ways – in true Masandawana fashion – it was Schut.
Masandawana, I read with dismay that our former Magician Zane Moosa is not doing well, I would like to send my words of encouraging him not to dwell much on the Multi choice incident and concentrate on the future i also want to request Sundowns to check if they cannot assist him.I think Multi choice got irritated by Zane’s constant support of the yellow nation in his comment’s. I am very disappointed by multi choice on this issue. Masandawana please let us support our own in this trying times.
Zane has been a very loyal supporter of AmaSundawana he deserves our support during this trying period in his life.. Please management do something for our fallen hero ?♂️
Masandawana I read a sad story about zane moosa today can we please reach out to him he is our legend some of us started supporting sundowns because of the type of football he use to play we are losing a lot of people through depression and can’t always say the signs were there when they are no more
To be honest I am really touched and saddened by Zane Moosa’s situation and would really appreciate it if the team could see what they can do to assist the legend.
On to Captain Alje Schut, what a man, player, and leader. To this date, I hold this guy in very high regard, the sight of him charging up to lead the attack whenever the chips were down. I will forever remember the name. I thank him very much for what he did for the Team, at a very challenging time.
Now am worried when PSL souvenirs (The done and Retired) go around saying the PSL cup must be given to Chiefs? Given? Lucas was spoke somehow he didnot think his biased mentality well. You Do Not give anyone any cup. Whatever team lifts it, must earn and win it! We will forget that some teams were given fake penalties to be where they are, something they are not proud of! So no winning the cup, no giving, no unfair practice. Not in the PSL.
What Supersport did to Zane show extreme hatred of Downs. So many analysts and commentators on Supersport open favour Chiefs and Pirates. Others openly display hatred towards Downs, but all still retain their jobs.
I concur with you guys serious its painfully what Supersport did to our own Zane,just because of his religion, SA is a free country eintlik this is an insult to our Democracy, depression is very dangerous what if he end up hurting his children.
Another thing fellow Dawanas I missed Downs big time,Sundowns to us is a way of life to console ourselves in times of sorrow my life is incomplete without my lovely Downs and soccer as a whole.
I really hate this pandemic virus,even though fuel is more affordable and no load-shedding but to starve of our favorite soccer is painfully, miss u all guys stay safe iyabulala le way.
A very good website indeed.
Hi guys please you who are close to him please please! go check him for you guys to great him i know it would make him feel better. I am at western province is far for me to go down there but I wish the best may god help him recovered,thanks