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Mamelodi Sundowns poised for another dominant season

Mamelodi Sundowns poised for another dominant season

IOL News5 days ago
Mamelodi Sundowns, one of Africa's wealthiest football clubs, boasts a squad valued at R744 million, with Lucas Ribeiro leading at R51.54 million, while star keeper Ronwen Williams is not among the top 10, and the team recently earned R228 million from the FIFA Club World Cup. Picture: Federico Parra/AFP
Mamelodi Sundowns will enter the 2025/26 Premiership season with their sights set on an unprecedented ninth consecutive league title.
Their recent showing at the FIFA Club World Cup further highlighted the gulf in class between them and the rest of the domestic competition.
While most teams have spent the off-season preparing for the upcoming campaign, the Brazilians had their schedule extended by international commitments.
Their participation in the expanded Club World Cup saw them go toe-to-toe with some of the world's elite, leaving them with limited time to rest before turning their focus back to local matters.
That short turnaround could be a blessing in disguise. For a squad used to juggling multiple competitions throughout the season, a brief break may be just enough to recharge without losing sharpness. It might even give them a competitive edge heading into the opening weeks.
There hasn't been a flurry of incoming transfer activity at Chloorkop, but with the depth and quality already in the squad, it was hardly necessary.
The core group that powered them to glory last season remains intact. That continuity offers stability at a time when many of their rivals are rebuilding and integrating new faces.
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