Mamelodi Sundowns were handed their PSL trophy on Tuesday night after playing to a 1-1 with against Maritzburg United. The milestone achievement comes five years after the Brazilians played a friendly game with Barcelona.
It was on 16 May 2018 that Spanish giants Barcelona descended into the FNB Stadium in South Africa for a friendly game with the mighty Mamelodi Sundowns.
The ‘Clash of Champions’ as it was called, formed part of the sundry celebrations to mark 100 years since the birth of Nelson Mandela.
The game was staged inside the same stadium where Spain won the 2010 World Cup with a team featuring Barca players Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and captain Andres Iniesta, who struck the only goal in their 1-0 win over the Netherlands.
It's an all Champion affair when we host Spanish Giants Barcelona on Wednesday night. Are you joining us as we celebrate an icon?
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 14, 2018
➖
🔘 Mamelodi Sundowns Vs FC Barcelona
📆 16.05.2018
🏟 FNB Stadium
⏰6:00 PM
📲#Sundowns #DownsBarca pic.twitter.com/73cznGfnVm
That year (2018), the Brazilians – under the mentorship of Pitso Mosimane – were on the verge of clinching a second league ABSA Premiership title in the space of two years
Exactly five years later, on May 16 2023, the South African club played their last game of the 2022/23 DStv premiership campaign against Maritzburg United, after which they were handed their sixth successive league crown.
Today, Sundowns rank among the most successful clubs in Africa.
13 & 6 - Sundowns have won their 13th PSL title, in the process becoming the first side to win title in six consecutive PSL seasons - 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 and now 2022/23. pic.twitter.com/AVS1GDvUVV
— OptaJabu (@OptaJabu) May 16, 2023
Have a look at some snaps from that memorable night under the floodlights of the FNB Stadium:
📆 🄾🄽 🅃🄷🄸🅂 🄳🄰🅈 📆#OnThisDay in 2018, Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona played a historic mid-season inter-club friendly against South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium.#SABCSportFootball pic.twitter.com/0yNQxon8au
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 16, 2023
ON THIS DAY 16th May 2018!!!
— Kofi Asiedu (@KofiAsiedu_) May 16, 2020
Sundowns🇿🇦 1-3 🇪🇸Barcelona
[Vilakazi 76' || Dembele 3', Suarez 19', Gomes 67'] pic.twitter.com/pHg6i0I2jc
Siku hii ya 2018:
— 𝗟𝐞 𝗕𝐢𝐠 𝗕o̶w̶s̶e̶ (@FahdySwaleh) May 16, 2023
Lionel Messi na FC Barcelona walicheza mechi ya kirafiki kati ya vilabu katikati ya msimu dhidi ya mabingwa wa Afrika Kusini Mamelodi Sundowns kwenye Uwanja wa FNB.
Cred: SABC Sport#SikuHii pic.twitter.com/StaGCpQXdX
