It's often said that Mamelodi Sundowns dominate South African football because of the money they have, but it's time the rest of the clubs start taking responsibility for their own failures and the past weekend was a typical example.
Yes, Sundowns have the money and ability to sign whoever they want to and have a technical team as big as a matchday squad. That, however, does not take away from the fact that the other so-called big teams are simply just not coming to the party to make the title race an interesting one. They are basically just giving the title to Sundowns, yet again. When Sundowns drop points, the other clubs do the same instead of taking advantage of the situation.
Let me give you an example. Football returned over the past weekend and the chasing pack had an opportunity to close the gap that Sundowns has at the top of the standings. What happened? Well, as usual, clubs dropped points and they have no one else to blame but themselves.
SuperSport United, Cape Town City, Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs all started the second half of the season with an opportunity to close the gap on Sundowns at the summit. And, not for the first time this season, all of them dropped points, giving Sundowns an advantage at the top of the standings. And to think the Tshwane giants still have two games in hand is unbelievable.
SuperSport played Stellenbosch on home soil and while they have been struggling with injuries in defence, they definitely could have secured three points, especially after taking the lead.
Pirates played against Sundowns players who probably would not have featured if their Bafana Bafana players were available for selection, but the Soweto giants failed to take advantage. It's a type of game Pirates should have taken an opportunity in to get three points and move themselves closer to Sundowns, but they just did not come to the party.
Chiefs, meanwhile, were unable to find a chink in the Royal AM armour on Sunday, collecting a point in a goalless draw in KZN.
Sundowns are a dominant force in South African football, but the other clubs in the league often make it too easy by dropping points in matches they should actually be winning. The title race should be a lot more interesting, but we have far too many of the potential challengers letting themselves down and handing the title to Sundowns on a silver platter.
Something has to change in the long run or we are going to have the same story every season. Sundowns will dominate, not only because they have the buying power and a proper structure, but because no one else is ready to step up and make it an entertaining battle for the title.
