By Michael Madyira
Mamelodi Sundowns could not win their last three games of the 2023-24 season.
They were frustrated by a 1-1 draw with TS Galaxy in their penultimate Premier Soccer League campaign match.
Then, on the PSL season’s final day, they lost 1-0 to Cape Town City at home.
Unbeaten before the last league match of the season, it was a big blow to Sundowns, who surrendered the Invincibles tag, which was 90 minutes away from being attainable.
Then, seven days later, Orlando Pirates beat them in the Nedbank Cup final, another match in which Masandawana were their own worst enemies after allowing the Buccaneers to come from behind and claim victory.
That Pirates grabbed the winner through teenage sensation Relebohile Mofokeng in stoppage time sold Sundowns away as a team that lacked character.
It was a sad end to a season that started promisingly when they threatened a trophy sweep on the domestic scene.
Even after they clinched the cash-rich, inaugural African Football League, there were calls for financial fair play to be introduced in the PSL to stop Sundowns from splashing cash in pursuit of their transfer targets.
But after heavily investing in player acquisitions, they lost two Cup finals to Pirates. They could not seal a season double while failing to complete the PSL season without tasting defeat.
Those calls for financial fair play now sound valid.
Pirates’ Cup victories over Sundowns and the Cape Town City upset could have signalled that Sundowns can be easily beaten.
It’s just a matter of thorough plotting by PSL teams to beat a team with million-dollar stars after Sundowns threatened to go rampant at the beginning of the season.
The uninspiring end to the season could inspire PSL teams to end Sundowns’ seven straight league titles.
Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrating
Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns
