Mamelodi 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.

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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.

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Sundowns' 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.

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.

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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.