From figures of ridicule to domination

Rewind a few years and Mamelodi Sundowns fans were a laughing stock in local football circles. Their beloved team was called all sorts of silly names, from Mamelodi Signclowns and Mamelodi Signdowns to Moneyload Sundowns. They endured all kinds of ridicule. This was all because the club was splashing out on expensive players yet results were not forthcoming, and they were accused left, right and centre of killing players’ careers by signing them only to keep them on the bench or in the suites.

Fast forward to today, however, and Masandawana are the happiest fans around, walking tall. Their team are at the top of the league, in the running for the Nedbank Cup and already hold the Telkom Knockout Cup.

In other words, Sundowns are close to capturing three trophies in one season, something that rarely happens in South African football. If it were to happen, it would mean total domination.

The money “wasted” by Sundowns on expensive players is now paying dividends, but they have had to endure some heartbreaking years in the process.

The Brazilians were forced to kiss a few frogs before finding their prince, with regard to coaches. The likes of Antonio Habas, Hristo Stoichkov, Angel Cappa and Johan Neeskens are some of the coaches Sundowns tried in their bid to become Africa’s most successful team. But they all failed, despite having the best players in the country.

Then came Pitso Mosimane. The talkative and sometimes controversial coach has to be hailed as a hero of the club, a knight in

Sibongiseni Gumbi

shining armour that has saved the Tshwane giants and returned them to their glory days.

There was no immediate success for him either, and he took a year to get things going his way. As he started building his team, he was criticised for releasing some big name players, but that has since proven to have been his best move yet, as he is now left with players who want to fight for him.

A few months ago, after winning the Telkom knockout, Sundowns goalkeeper Dennis Onyango said the players had met and spoken about issues in the team after Mosimane was victimised by supporters, some of whom called for his resignation earlier this season.

Now, as well as being in with a chance of a domestic treble, Sundowns are also 180 minutes away from getting into the group stages of the Caf Champions League – the cup both Mosimane and club owner Patrice Motsepe want the most.

Should they manage to beat AS Vita Club over two legs, they will have taken one step closer towards reaching their dreams, and I wish them all the best, as their successes in continental football can only bring positives for the local game.

Before I sign off and allow you to continue with your weekend activities, allow me to say: Siyabonga (We thank you).

After all, this is all we can say to retired Orlando Pirates defender Siyabonga Sangweni, who announced this week that a recurring injury had forced him into retirement at the age of 34. Many believe he still had a good two or three years left in him.

Sangweni has brought us so many memories that we will cherish forever. His exploits during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, where he hogged the headlines, leading Bafana Bafana from the front and scoring goals like he was a striker, will always be in our minds.

His humility is a scarce trait in the football industry and I wish him all the best in his future endeavours. I know he has cattle back home in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, which will now receive hands-on attention at his farm.

I hope in the near future we do not have to write about him struggling to make ends meet.