Can anyone stop Mamelodi Sundowns’ historic run?

Can anyone stop Mamelodi Sundowns’ historic run of eight consecutive PSL titles?

Mamelodi Sundowns have essentially rewritten the playbook for success in South African football. They clinched their eighth consecutive Premiership title in May 2025, a pattern that has gone on since 2017/18. Their dominance has become the industry benchmark and other clubs are struggling to keep pace both on and off the pitch. The recent 3-0 win over Chippa United only proves further their strength and determination to continue with their dominance. The big question remains; who can stop the Sundowns?

The scale of the challenge

Sundowns’ success is no fluke. Their approach has been elite recruitment, strong squad depth and year after year tactical consistency over a consistent technical framework. The 2024-25 season saw them pass every test, doing remarkably in every department, amassing 65 goals and conceding only 13, as well as going unbeaten at home the entire campaign. Their rotational skills without compromising their quality have made rivalry to keep up with them in a long season. This structural combination, resources and execution have made them such a fearsome opponent.

Where Sundowns are beatable

When there is a weakness, it has usually been manifested on the continental platform. Sundowns lost in the final of the CAF Champions League to Egyptian side Pyramids FC last season, which shows that even a well-organised, tactically shrewd opponent can dismantle even the most elite teams. Their performances during the expanded FIFA Club World Cup also revealed some cracks in the course of the high-pressure, intense schedule. Such challenges may not deflate their strength locally, but give PSL rivals ideas on how to interrupt the Sundowns rhythm: deprive them of space, keep defensive formations tight, and attack in a clinical manner when on the counter. However, until PSL sides can master that, PSL prediction according to established bookmakers and analysts gives Sundowns an edge.

Who fancies himself capable of posing a challenge?

Only a few PSL clubs come close to Sundowns in terms of fanbase, wealth, and managerial stability, but fall short when it comes to mounting any real challenge.

• Orlando Pirates: Pirates are one of the strongest teams in South Africa, and have the personnel who can cause Sundowns some problems. Their major undoing has been lapses in defense and inconsistency; otherwise, they would be considered serious contenders.
• Kaizer Chiefs: The glamour club has been through tumultuous times lately, but remains among the best-endowed clubs in South African football. Better scouting and clearer tactical identity would help the Chiefs return to where the fans would want to have them: at the top.
• SuperSport United, Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune United: these are some of the few teams that have caused Sundowns all sorts of problems on the pitch, but then again, inconsistency has always been the problem.

The problem? None of these clubs matches the depth of the Sundowns squad or consistency. To be a champion, you must beat them more than once, and title competitors must maintain a big game across 30 games, which no other PSL team has been able to maintain in the last few years.

Strategic pathways to stop Sundowns

To any team, three strategies are key to overthrowing the champions:

1. Shut down supply lines

Sundowns are based on midfield domination and smart forward play. Tiny mid-blocks that restrict the work of creative players may restrain them.

2. Take advantage of transitions and set pieces

Their forward experience tends to leave gaps at the back of fullbacks and centre-backs. Quick counters and highly practiced set formations are known methods of injuring them.

3. Consistency throughout the season

Competitors cannot afford to lose to mid-table clubs. To cover Sundowns, the challengers have to win the small games week after week.

Fixture congestion could unsettle Sundowns

The fact that Sundowns have participated in various competitions such as the CAF Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup is a strength as well as a weakness. Although these tournaments increase their overall level, they also cause congestion of fixtures. Traditionally, this is a period when underdogs have caused upsets, taking advantage of the rotated line-ups and travel burnout. A successful surge in the period may tip the scales in a close title race.

Verdict: Possible, but less likely

In real life, it is not impossible, though not that easy, to stop Sundowns in any season. A challenger would require ideal recruitment, a low number of injuries, tactical coaching and undivided attention between August and May to bring this streak to an end. The profits are small, yet football is unpredictable. It could be tactical genius, a good run of form or even a killer Sundowns slip.

At least, the league title remains in the possession of Sundowns at this point. They have built a machine that does not depend on a single star or a strategy – the framework that can continue to endure the competition. However, dynasties come to an end. One or two determined competitors would make the 2025-26 season the most thrilling title race in years in South Africa. But does anyone look capable?