Mamelodi Sundowns target trophy clean sweep after ending five-year MTN8 wait

Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe has challenged the squad to use their MTN8 triumph as the launchpad for a season in which they win every available trophy.

Sundowns ended a five-year wait for the competition by beating Orlando Pirates 2-0 in Saturday’s final in Durban. The victory also brought an end to a campaign without domestic silverware, after they surrendered the Betway Premiership title to the Buccaneers last season.

Motsepe praised Orlando Pirates for the challenge they had provided, while saying Sundowns must now build on their success rather than treat it as an isolated achievement.

“It’s a wonderful occasion because this is the one we’ve been struggling with for the last five years, and credit must go to Orlando Pirates for playing their part and for owning the cup like they did. We knew they were going to push us, so it feels very sweet after seeing all the commitment and desire the players displayed tonight. From now on we are dedicating every trophy we win to Jayden Adams and his family.”

The Sundowns chairman also highlighted the determination shown by his team in Durban, where they were forced to move away from their usual approach to overcome Pirates.

Midfielder Nuno Santos said that adapting their game was essential because of the demands of the final and the strength of their opponents.

“In this specific cup we have always been the chasers, and we knew it was going to be a very tough game and a game that made us go out of our comfort zone but we showed a lot of character and I think we played like a real family.”

Santos said the players had also been determined to maintain their intensity after returning from the FIFA break.

The MTN8 victory gives Sundowns their first domestic trophy since the previous campaign and provides a positive response after losing their Betway Premiership crown to Orlando Pirates.

Motsepe said the squad’s effort and commitment had been central to ending the drought, while the club now turns its attention to the rest of the season and its ambition of completing a clean sweep of trophies.