Sundowns’ cup final anxieties plugged in...
The cup final bell will ring with a loud sound of uneasiness for Mamelodi Sundowns as they get ready for the latest decider of their PSL era years history.
Mamelodi Sundowns will go into this year’s CAF Champions League final keen to thwart the misery that has become the definition of their appearances in deciders.
As it stands, Sundowns have lost the last cup finals in a row, placing further strain on their history in trophy-deciding matches.
READ| Downs defender caught up in mixed fortunes
They were losing finalists in this competition last year and suffered a similar fate in the 2024 Carling Knockout final against Magesi FC, 2024 Nedbank Cup, and 2023 MTN finals (both against Orlando Pirates).
With those recent disappointments, The Brazilians have now lost 17 finals from the 30 they have played in the PSL era years across all competitions - both domestic and continental.
On the domestic front, they have played 25 cup finals and won 10.
Their first final in the PSL era years was the 1997 Rothmans Cup against Kaizer Chiefs, which needed a midweek replay to produce a winner.
After Raphael Chukwu’s late equaliser, Themba Mnguni, Joas Magolego, and Isaac Shai missed from the spot to hand Amakhosi the first of two Rothmans Cups in a row against the same opposition.
The Tshwane giants have since come out second best five times (1997, 1998, 2008, 2012, 2024) in this competition reserved exclusively for top-tier league clubs.
They have also gone away with silver in the Nedbank Cup (national cup) on another five occasions.
This was in 2000, 2001, 2007, 2012 and 2024.
They have lost another five in the MTN8, which was in 2001, 2002, 2008, 2016 and 2023.
In CAF club competitions, they lost the 2001 Champions League final and went up the podium as runners-up again last year.
This places Sundowns’ cup final success rate at 43% with 13 wins out of 30.
Their two most recent success stories in knockout competitions came in the 2022 Nedbank Cup and the African Football League the following year.
READ: Cardoso gets feet into decisive dozen days lap at Sundowns
Thirty months have passed since the Chloorkop-based side’s last cup success.
AS FAR Rabat will be the opponents over two legs for this Champions League decider, which carries USD6 million (approx. R100 million) for the winner.
Continue with Matchday Global
Source: Kick Off
