Archive · Pretoria to Africa
A story of reinvention, style and relentless ascent — from a group of young footballers in Pretoria to champions of the continent.
Birth / Marabastad
Sundowns grew from a group of young footballers in Marabastad and the communities north-west of Pretoria. Frank “ABC” Motsepe, Roy Fischer, Ingle Singh and Bernard Hartze are remembered among the early founders. In 1967 the club joined the Federation of Professional Soccer League and reached the Coca-Cola Cup final in its debut season.
Fall / Return
Relegation in 1980 tested the young club, but not its appetite. Zola Mahobe took ownership in 1985 and helped drive an immediate return to the top division. The Mainstay Cup followed in 1986; the BP Top Eight, JPS Cup and league championship confirmed Sundowns as a force.
Transition / First dynasty
Standard Bank assumed control in 1988 before the Krok brothers, Angelo Tsichlas and Natasha Tsichlas shaped a new ownership structure. On the field, Sundowns collected league championships in 1988, 1990 and 1993: the first sustained proof that success could become a system.
PSL era
The Brazilians claimed the league in 1997/98, 1998/99 and 1999/2000. That historic hat-trick fused expressive football with a repeatable winning standard and placed Sundowns at the centre of South Africa's new professional era.
First continental final
Sundowns reached a first CAF Champions League final, finishing runners-up to Al Ahly. The result hurt, but it widened the club's horizon: continental ambition was no longer abstract.
The Motsepe era
Dr Patrice Motsepe joined the ownership structure in 2003, moved to full ownership in 2004 and renamed the club Mamelodi Sundowns. League titles in 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2013/14 rebuilt the championship platform and placed the club's community identity inside a long-term high-performance project.
Continental breakthrough
Under Pitso Mosimane, Sundowns defeated Zamalek to win the 2016 CAF Champions League—the first continental star above the crest. Victory over TP Mazembe in the 2017 CAF Super Cup completed a defining twelve months and announced the club as a permanent African contender.
Sundowns Ladies
Sundowns Ladies won the inaugural CAF Women's Champions League unbeaten and without conceding a goal. It was a landmark for the club and the continent: one badge now carried an elite standard across both the men's and women's game.
Domestic sweep / Continental signal
A 2022 domestic treble, completed with the Nedbank Cup, carried the winning rhythm forward. In 2023 the men's team won the inaugural African Football League while Sundowns Ladies lifted a second CAF Women's Champions League title: multiple teams, one continental mentality.
The second star
After a 1–1 draw with AS FAR in Rabat completed a 2–1 aggregate victory, Sundowns became African champions for the second time. Miguel Cardoso's team converted another final into the second star above the crest—and a mandate to keep moving forward.
Continental honours / The record
Continental success at Sundowns is broader than one team or one night. It is a record built through repeated finals, first-of-their-kind titles and a club-wide belief that South African football can set the pace for Africa.
The first men's continental final established the ambition.
Zamalek defeated; the first star arrived.
TP Mazembe defeated at Loftus Versfeld.
Inaugural champions, unbeaten and without conceding.
Two continental trophies across the men's and women's teams.
AS FAR defeated on aggregate; the second star secured.
