Sundowns Secure Fifth Consecutive League Title

Mamelodi Sundowns have secured their fifth consecutive DStv Premiership title after being held to a 0-0 draw against third-placed Cape Town City at Loftus Versveld on Wednesday evening.

Sundowns came into the game wounded after their shock CAF Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Angolan giants Petro de Luanda this weekend.

With free entry offered for what was expected to be their title coronation, an approximate 7000 supporters pitched up in Tshwane on Freedom Day for the celebratory occasion.

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The technical team made two changes from the side that drew 1-1 at FNB Stadium, with Aubrey Modiba coming in for Lyle Lakay, while Grant Kekana stepped in for Thapelo Morena.

In a match that’s usually hotly contested as two of the finest ball-playing teams in the league, City – who were mathematically the only title challengers along with Royal AM still had plenty to play for with CAF inter-club positions on offer.

Sundowns were dominant in possession throughout but didn’t have their usual cutting edge in the final third, presumably still facing the mental anguish and fatigue from the African venture abruptly ending.

But City too, showed tenacity to go toe-to-toe with the dominant force that has swept all aside for the past five seasons in the South African top-flight, but they never quite had the composure to turn their chances into something of substance.

And it proved more of the same in the second half as Eric Tinkler’s side frustrated Sundowns as they cancelled each other tactically but the point was enough for their 12th league crown in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) era and 15th title overall in South African top-flight history.

The point moved Sundowns 13 points ahead of Royal AM (45pts), who have four games remaining, while 17 ahead of the Citizens (41pts) who have five games to play this season.

Masandawana are now firmly on course for a domestic treble, having won the MTN8, the league and in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup.