Given their formidable form in the DStv Premiership, Mamelodi Sundowns can sensationally secure a seventh title with six games to spare.
Masandawana have made light work of the majority of their opponents in the league, winning 16 from 20 games and are yet to lose a match.
The Rulani Mokwena-led defending champions are the most prolific team in the top flight as their offensive prowess has surpassed even that of the high-scoring Orlando Pirates by a slim margin.
The Buccaneers and Sundowns have banged in 34 and 35 goals respectively.
Sundowns are chasing a record-extending seventh league crown to take their tally to 14 Premierships, putting Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in their rearview mirror with their combined eight league titles (four each) in the Premier Soccer League era.
Downs are tailed by Steve Barker’s in-form Stellenbosch FC, who have so far collected 39 points. If Stellies manage to gain maximum points in their remaining games – eight – they can reach a maximum of 64.
The last time Stellies suffered defeat was against Sundowns in September 2023, before themselves going on an impressive unbeaten run stretching to 21 games across all competitions. The two have also been drawn against each other in the upcoming Nedbank Cup semi-finals.
This will not be the last time the two sides share a pitch this season, as Stellies will host Downs in the penultimate game of the season.
Mosimane’s record under threat
Sundowns have been trying to beat their record of 71 points in a single season, which was achieved in the 2015/16 season by former coach Pitso Mosimane. Downs did try last season but Mokwena’s team fell one point shy of equaling that tally.
Even though Mokwena insists that his players are not preoccupied with the possibility of going the entire season without losing a game, Aubrey Modiba spoke about his and his teammates’ desperation to engrave their names in the history books.
“That is what we want to achieve, I am not going to lie but we are taking the game as it comes because we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and next thing we start dropping points and we also want to break the record of 71 points… we also talk about that. Hopefully, we achieve it and make history,” Modiba said on Metro FM.
Hopes of a quadruple
Masandawana next travel to Moroka Swallows for a league clash at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday at 19:30, with three points meaning that the defending champions will require victories over Sekhukhune United, Amakhosi, and Royal AM to clinch yet another title.
Looking ahead, Sundowns have their sights set on not just the Premiership but also the CAF Champions League alongside the Nedbank Cup, in targeting an incredible quadruple.
Downs already have the African Football League title in their cabinet, and with their current form and early potential league victory, they can redirect their efforts towards these other competitions, further solidifying their status as one of Africa’s top football clubs.
🚨𝙂 𝘼 𝙈 𝙀 𝘿 𝘼 𝙔🚨
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 15, 2024
🆚 Moroka Swallows
⏰ 19H30
🏟 Dobsonville Stadium
📺 SS 202#Sundowns #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/wmayOzfLAC
