Mindblowing details about Maritzburg United's players, management, and achievements
FootballMamelodi Sundowns’ Squad Origins: Is Their Success Homegrown or Manufactured Elsewhere?
- Mamelodi Sundowns are the most successful club in recent South African history
- Masandawana have won the DStv Diski Challenge once since its inception in 2014
- Players poached from their Tshwane rivals exceed the tally groomed at Chloorkop
Mamelodi Sundowns are the current undisputed pace-setters in South African football. Masandawana are likely to win the title early in 2024 with several games to spare, barring a seemingly impossible collapse.
Is this dominance based on an outstanding conveyor belt of talent nurtured from the ground up, or has Dr Patrice Motsepe's African Rainbow Minerals provided the necessary raw materials?
The DStv Diski Challenge is a reserve league for top division teams, a league Sundowns have only won once since its inception in 2014.
At the youth development level, the Gauteng Development League (GDL) is the premier youth structure in Sundowns' geographical region, a competition they failed to win in any of the four age groups in 2023.
Sundowns' Under-13 side came second in their division, 10 points behind Kaizer Chiefs while their U15s finished third, 25 points off the junior Amakhosi.
In the older age groups, their U17s finished nine points off Tshwane rivals, Supersport United. Their U19s, the closest to the Diski Challenge and first team squads, finished 10 points off winners, Highlands Park, as per Inqaku.
Sports Brief breaks down the composition of Sundown's squad, referencing the clubs where the players either made their debuts or were purchased from.
Mamelodi Sundowns' squad origins
A breakdown of Sundowns goalkeepers and defenders
Sundowns have the tightest defence in DStv Premiership, conceding just three goals in 10 games. Of those listed in Sundowns' squad on the Multichoice website, no goalkeeper or defender came through the development doors.
Ronwen Williams | SuperSport United |
Denis Onyango | Sports Club Villa / SuperSport United |
Reyaad Pieterse | Wits University / SuperSport United |
Jody February | Cape Town Spurs |
Rushine de Reuck | Hellenic / Maritzburg United |
Mosa Lebusa | Cape Town Spurs |
Brian Onyango | Santos / Maritzburg United |
Abdelmounaim Boutouil | FAR Rabat / Raja Casablanca |
Terrence Mashego | Mthatha Bucks / TS Galaxy |
Grant Kekana | SuperSport United |
Khuliso Mudau | Black Leopards |
Thapelo Morena | Bloemfontein Celtic |
Mothobi Mvala | Highlands Park |
Sifiso Ngobeni | Bloemfontein Celtic |
Rivaldo Coetzee | Cape Town Spurs |
Stellenbosch's players: owner, stadium, coach, trophies, world rankings
FootballSundowns' midfield maestros
Creativity, flair and the ability to win matches is a crafted talent honed on the training ground. At his disposal, Rulani Mokwena has a system with interchangeable midfielders and forwards with a diverse skill set.
Mpumelelo Nkomo | Sundowns |
Teboho Mokoena | SuperSport United |
Lesiba Nku | Polokwane City / Marumo Gallants |
Bongani Zungu | University of Pretoria |
Gaston Sirino | Bolivar |
Marcelo Allende | Deportes Santa Cruz |
Junior Mendieta | Stellenbosch FC |
Aubrey Modiba | Mpumalanga Black Aces / SuperSport United |
Themba Zwane | Sundowns |
Bathusi Aubaas | TS Galaxy |
Sphelele Mkhulise | Sundowns |
Lucas Ribeiro Costa | Beveren(Belgium) |
Sipho Mbule | SuperSport United |
Sammy Seabi | Polokwane City |
Siyanda Nyanga | Sundowns |
Ntandoyenkosi Nkosi | Sundowns |
Thapelo Maseko | SuperSport United |
Neo Maema | Bloemfontein Celtic |
Lebohang Maboe | Maritzburg United |
Keabetswe Ramotsei | Cape Town All-Stars |
Sundowns' goal scoring goliaths
The technical analysts in the background may disagree but the only stat that matters is the scoreline. Sundowns have mastered this by either grabbing late winners or crushing their opposition throughout 90 minutes.
Pavol Safranko's profile, stats, salary, net worth, current team, height
FootballGift Motupa | Baroka FC / Wits University |
Abubeker Nasser | Ethiopian Buna |
Siyabonga Mabena | Transnet School of Excellence |
Peter Shalulile | Highlands Park |
Only around 15% of Mamelodi Sundowns' first-team squad have come through their development structures.
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Rulani Mokwena explains Pyramids FC troubles
Sports Brief previously reported on Rulani Mokwena explaining the problems he encountered vs Pyramids FC.
The Egyptian visitors were incredibly physical and highly defensive in their goalless draw at the Loftus Stadium.
Mamelodi Sundowns travel to Egypt for the return fixture, needing a win in their CAF Champions League group.