Brayan Leon under pressure to rediscover Sundowns scoring form

Brayan Leon’s strong start to life at Mamelodi Sundowns has set a demanding benchmark, with the Colombian striker’s quieter opening to this season prompting questions about his consistency.

Leon has scored three goals in seven Betway Premiership appearances this campaign. That would normally represent a respectable return, but it falls short of the impact he made after joining Sundowns at Chloorkop in January.

The 26-year-old scored 10 goals in 15 league matches during the second half of last season. Across all competitions, he finished with 15 goals in 26 appearances, quickly becoming an important attacking option for coach Miguel Cardoso.

His immediate influence also raised expectations as Sundowns pursued the title and completed a victorious CAF Champions League campaign. Leon must now reproduce the level of threat that made him such a significant figure in those successes.

His underlying statistics suggest the issue is not simply a lack of chances. According to FotMob, Leon has taken 21 shots in the league this season, with 11 on target. That gives him a shot accuracy of 52%, while his expected goals figure is 3.3.

With three goals from those opportunities, his finishing has broadly matched what the quality of his chances might be expected to produce. The greater concern is whether he can consistently create the same level of danger he offered during his first months in South Africa.

Champions League contrast

Leon’s reduced output has also been evident in continental competition. Sundowns were eliminated from the CAF Champions League after a shock defeat by Angolan side Wiliete, and Leon did not score in the competition this season.

That is a marked change from the previous campaign, when he scored five CAF Champions League goals as Sundowns won the title. His goals against Esperance in the semi-final tie were especially important in helping the club reach the final.

The striker has also failed to score in the MTN8, although Sundowns went on to win the competition.

The trophy has given the club a positive start to the campaign, but Leon’s individual contribution in front of goal has not yet matched the influence he had last season.

There is still considerable time for him to regain that form, and his league numbers do not indicate that he has stopped finding scoring positions.

However, the standards established by his arrival make three goals in seven Betway Premiership matches, alongside his failure to score in the CAF Champions League and MTN8, a notable return.

The question is not whether Leon can score in South Africa. His first season already demonstrated that. The challenge is whether he can maintain the high standards he set for himself when he joined Mamelodi Sundowns.