Congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns on their seventh consecutive league title win, which was achieved, coincidentally, with seven games to spare. It's a remarkable achievement, by any standards, and something that is most unlikely to be repeated in the history of South African football. They won this league title with just one loss, which happened right at the end when they hosted Cape Town City in their very last game of the season, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Coach Eric Tinkler's team came and spoiled the party with a 1-0 win that ensured they left Tshwane with maximum points, spoiling Sundowns' impeccable record!
Even with a lot, the almost perfect record is something to be proud of for everyone associated with the Brazilians! It is unbelievable to think Ka Bo Yellow almost bagged this title without a defeat, talk about being almost invincible! It is also impressive that this happened on their way to the seventh title, synonymous with the club's logo and emblem. The journey wasn't as easy as the log standings suggest. 22 wins, seven draws and a loss, from 30 league games, doesn't really give a true reflection of what happened. The league wasn't all they had to focus on. They were involved in other cup competitions as well as the continental football they had to go through. On top of the league success, they also have the inaugural CAF African Football League title, reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, the final of the MTN8 as well as the final of the Nedbank Cup to show for their magnificent season.
Certainly not a bad campaign for coach Rhulani Mokwena and his charges, notwithstanding the challenges they've had to endure. Yes, being the ambitious achievers that they are, Sundowns will feel they've had an underwhelming season by their standards. They will feel they could and should have done much better than being league champions and bridesmaids twice, against the same coach Jose Riveiro-coached Orlando Pirates! It is history now that coach Mokwena faced his Spanish counterpart twice in cup finals and finished second on both occasions.
There is more to just Sundowns reaching these two domestic cup finals and losing both of them against the same team. What they have achieved is exactly what happens when a club gives full support to the head coach. These are the kinds of results you get to see and experience. When coach Pitso Mosimane left Sundowns, there was an air of nervousness among the Yellow Nation and even doubting Thomases who felt his then two assistants, Manqoba Mngqithi and Mokwena, were not up to standard to fill his massive shoes. With the arrival of coach Steve Komphela, the trio took the baton and ran with it. Everyone knows what these three students of the game have achieved at the club and the massive impact they've had not just to Sundowns but South African football at large. This was not just some kind of cadre deployment arrangement because Sundowns could have easily tapped into their massive international contact list to get a 'proper' coach and bring someone with an illustrious career in the coaching fraternity.
However, they opted to give an opportunity to these local lads to lead their team and take from where one of the best caches to ever come out of this country had left off. Surely, there must have been endless consultation between the parties concerned before arriving at that game-changing decision. After all, it couldn't have been an easy decision to make lets the club drop the high standards they had set with coach Jingles in charge. While the club has to be acknowledged and appreciated to entrusting local talent with such a huge responsibility, more plaudit should go to coach Manqoba, Rhulani and Steve, although the former Bafana Bafana captain has since left to join Moroka Swallows and make another return to Golden Arrows, for the great job they've been able to do since they took charge.
These guys grabbed the opportunity with both hands to send out a strong message to club owners that local isn't just lekker when it comes to socio and political spaces. Even when it comes to coaching, local remains lekker. They have proved that, despite the long-standing narrative that local coaches can't handle the pressure that comes with coaching big teams, it is possible when the support is there.
They also dispelled the notion that black coaches can't work together without sabotage and stabbing each other in the back being the order of the day. These are all head coaches, in their own right, with the experience they've attained over the years, but they were humble enough to take 'senior coach' and 'assistant coach' roles without any reservation. They displayed, at least to the public, that the club and the project they were involved in, were more important than their individual wises and vision. They selflessly put the club's vision in front and gave their all, to service the millions of Downs supporters. By so doing, other teams are starting to look at local coaches differently and this has had a massive impact on how local coaches are viewed in the league.
The Sundowns coaches' success has also rubbed other coaches in the right way because they are also trying to emulate their peers. This can only augur well for not just the Chloorkop-based club but our football at large. From the days of coach Jingles, the management tends to give carte blanche to the technical team. They allow them to have it their way, even if it is against the management's wishes at times. Now, there is a lesson here that we all can take: to hire coaches and allow them the freedom and space to do their job without any interference. Allow them to do their job and to the best of their ability, so that when things go right, we are all on the same page and, it is planned success.
How many of our teams would give that freedom to the head coach? It doesn't happen often because there is a very interesting dynamic of balancing the issue of securing the club's interest as well as allowing the coach to do as he pleases. At the end of the day, coaches come and go but clubs stay. For the club to give that carte blanche to the coach, the coach has to prove himself and show the club that they know exactly what they are doing. Which is exactly what has happened. Because of their belief in their technical team, when coach Pitso left, it has proved to be a masterstroke because his successors have taken it to the next level where they continue to dominate. That's credit to there being a clear philosophy, as the club knew exactly where they were going, and the coaches knew exactly what they wanted to achieve, his departure didn't affect the team as badly as it was initially feared. Now Sundowns are a team that is never satisfied with their success as they continue to push the envelope. They continue to freshen things up. They continue to change the team. And you can rest assured that that young technical team is destined for greater things to come.
Not many would have given a young coach like Mokwena so much belief but he took it upon himself to prove himself as one of the best. His work ethic and passion is second to none. He's proved his ambition and everyone can see that the future is bright for him. However, never underestimate the effect and impact of Mngqithi in the technical team. Between the two of them, they have managed to bring about a significant change and success in the team.
In South African football, there is no greater example than Sundowns. These guys continue to break their own records, and it's just beautiful to watch. We've got to give credit where it is due. Congratulations Mamelodi Sundowns. Long may your success continue.
Let's also congratulate Orlando Pirates on their massive win against the Brazilians in the final of the Nedbank Cup on Saturday. Another impressive and spirited game between two of the most attractive teams to watch this past season. Well done coach Riveiro, the technical team, management, staff, players, supporters and everyone at the club.
