Sundowns newcomers celebrate rapid rise with two trophies

Thabang Matuludi, Siyanda Ndlovu and Thabo Cele have collected two trophies within months of joining Mamelodi Sundowns, helping the club end its wait for MTN8 success.

The three players arrived at different points during the past three months and have already won the Fifa African-Asian-Pacific Cup and the MTN8.

Matuludi and Ndlovu joined Sundowns without having won a major trophy, while Cele had already claimed the Nedbank Cup with Kaizer Chiefs, who beat Orlando Pirates in the 2024-2025 final.

All three contributed as Sundowns defeated Pirates 2-1 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. The victory secured the Brazilians’ first cup since 2022 and their first MTN8 title since 2021, when they beat Cape Town City after goalkeeper Denis Onyango saved five penalties in the shootout.

For Cele, the success provided further motivation after a difficult spell at Chiefs and a move to a club whose previous domestic cup triumph came in the 2021-2022 Nedbank Cup final against Marumo Gallants.

“It is not common to join a club and quickly win two trophies. It is important for me and for us as a team, especially the new players who are coming in with the ambition to help the club,” said Cele, who has also faced criticism during his career.

“It has always been about working hard and focusing on myself and forgetting about the outside distractions. Since I was young, I always wanted to find myself in these positions.

“Being here is massive and a motivation to go to another level. It’s a blessing to be part of this team because they are always looking for more. We went into this game looking to win because it has been a while since we won the MTN8.”

Cele, 29, joined Sundowns on a free transfer in September after being sidelined at Chiefs while compensation negotiations were completed. He had impressed for Amakhosi the previous season after returning from a career in Europe that included spells in Portugal, Poland and Russia.

“Football is like life, sometimes there are difficulties, and you have to overcome them,” he said.

“Going through what I went through and being here is about pushing myself and focusing on what’s coming next. It is about being at a club like Sundowns, and I am grateful.”

Ndlovu, 23, moved from Lamontville Golden Arrows in July and has quickly made an impact. He said he had not allowed doubts about his chances at Sundowns to distract him.

“People saying I won’t play here at Sundowns pushed and motivated me a lot. I am here to compete because I am playing with quality players. I try to pull up my socks so I get my chances,” he said.

Ndlovu added that adapting had been straightforward because Sundowns’ style was similar to the football played at Arrows under coach Manqoba Mngqithi.

Matuludi, 27, joined from Polokwane City in September and said winning trophies had always been one of his ambitions.

“I am happy to have my second trophy since I joined Sundowns. I had a chance to play the MTN8 final and win it; this is something big for my career.”

The defender also highlighted the benefit of working alongside experienced right-backs Thapelo Morena and Khuliso Mudau.

“There is a lot to learn from an experienced player such as Thapelo Morena. He has been in the game for long, and I look up to him and Khuliso Mudau because of their experience.”