Menzi Magubane
Mamelodi Sundowns had to fight hard to lift their fourth consecutive DStv Premiership title.
And they needed to wait for it.
After the opening whistle blew in their final game against Royal AM in Durban on Saturday, the match was postponed twice.
Bad weather first caused a 25-minute postponement.
The match was then rescheduled for Monday.
And that’s when Masandawana were at last able to lift their trophy, after beating the Durban side 3-2 at Chatsworth Stadium.
Co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi was not as happy as one would expect following the game.
“Good was the game but we were a little bit sloppy. Royal AM could have won this match because of our sloppiness,” he said.
Masandawana won consecutive league titles with Mngqithi alongside Rulani Mokwena and Steve Komphela after Pitso Mosimane left two seasons ago.
Monday’s match was more about seeing whether Sundowns star striker Peter Shalulile would break Collins Mbesuma’s top scoring record of 25 goals in a single season.
The Namibian ended up scoring 23 goals and taking the title of top goal Premiership scorer this season.
Mngqithi was a little bit sad that Shalulile couldn’t break the 17-year record.
“We were here to help Shalulile to break that record. But today’s performance did not happen. But we are happy with our achievement,” he said.
The win for the Brazilians means they will again represent South Africa in the CAF Champions League next season.
The second team is yet to be decided.
Sundowns’ title is their second of the season after they claimed the MTN8 crown earlier this season.
They are still looking to lift another one next month.
Masandawana have a date with Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup final.
Image source: @Masandawana
