Chasing Seventh Heaven: Our Quest for Unprecedented League Greatness

CHASING SEVENTH HEAVEN
Our Quest for Unprecedented League Greatness

Mamelodi Sundowns lifting their 6th consecutive PSL title

Author: John Aliu

The regular sight of yellow confetti cascading from the skies, accompanying the joyous celebration of hoisting the Premier Soccer League (PSL) trophy, has become a cherished tradition embraced by the passionate Yellow Nation for the past six consecutive years. Two players who have been part of the celebrations, Goalkeeper - Denis Onyango and Midfield Maestro - Themba Zwane, are still hungry for more titles and trophy lifting.

The new season presents the Brazilians with an opportunity to not only strengthen their grip on South Africa’s Premier Division but also embark on a journey towards attaining a sublime seventh heaven by winning the 7th League Title in a row.
From winning the league since the 2015/16 season to clinching the title in nail-biting fashion on the final day of the 2019/20 season and securing the top spot with an unprecedented seven games to spare in the 2022/23 campaign, the Tshwane giants have consistently demonstrated their ability to prevail in every conceivable circumstance.

This journey of utter dominance has been adorned by the collective efforts of different eras, each characterized by its unique composition of players and occasional managerial transitions. Yet, amidst these changes, a constant feature has remained unwavering during these last six years — the winning ethos, deeply entrenched in the fabric of Mamelodi Sundowns. This winning philosophy has propelled the club to become a force to be reckoned with, not just in South Africa but across the continent.

Long-serving legendary midfielder Themba ‘Mshishi’ Zwane, who epitomizes the essence of this remarkable stretch of league success, reflects on his personal growth and development throughout his time with the club.

“I joined Bafana Ba Style as a young player, and throughout my time here, I have experienced tremendous growth and development, both as a footballer and as an individual. Mamelodi Sundowns is more than just a team; it is a culture of success that permeates every aspect of the club,” Mshishi expressed.

Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena holding the DSTV Premiership trophy

He further emphasized, “Regardless of the era or the players who come and go, the shared goal of achieving victory in every competition remains unchanged. This shared commitment fuels our relentless pursuit of success, motivating us to constantly push ourselves and elevate our game.”

During the last six title-clinching years, Zwane has played a pivotal role, scoring a total of 39 league goals, despite spending time orchestrating play from midfield. One of his most successful individual seasons was the 2019/20 campaign, where the highly influential jersey number 18 claimed three prestigious prizes at the PSL Awards — PSL Midfielder of the Season, PSL Player’s Player of the Season and the PSL Footballer of the Season awards.

Despite solidifying his status as one of the most accomplished players the league has ever seen, Themba maintains a mindset that leaves no room for complacency.
“I have always been guided by a personal motto that every game is a cup final for me. Consistency has been a guiding principle in my approach, serving as a powerful source of motivation. As I enter this stage of my career, my ambition is to win more titles with this highly esteemed club. We are driven by a steadfast determination to make history and create a lasting legacy in the hearts of our loyal supporters,” Zwane affirmed.

Denis Onyango - the most decorated player in the PSL

Another iconic figure who has played a crucial role in the success of the past successive six-title winning seasons is goalkeeper Denis Onyango. The experienced Ugandan shot-stopper firmly believes that the invaluable lessons attained from the previous title-winning campaigns will be of utmost importance as the upcoming season unfolds.

“I have been fortunate enough to be a part of numerous exhilarating moments with the club, from clinching the CAF Champions League in 2016 to achieving league success on multiple occasions (10 times in total and 7 with Sundowns). Each of these triumphs came with its own set of challenges, and yet, we consistently found a way to overcome them. As we set our sights on the upcoming season, we anticipate even tougher opposition and it is precisely this challenge that fuels our motivation to push ourselves harder and strive for even greater achievements,” expressed Onyango.

Having experienced multiple eras during his time at Chloorkop, Denis holds great admiration for the unyielding mindset that continues to be a driving force, even for new players who join the club, “The DNA of this club is deeply rooted in clinching trophies and the club’s approach is centered around fostering a winning culture in all players. The pursuit of titles is what motivates us and each new season carries significant importance for the club. We firmly believe that hard work is the key to achieving remarkable things and this belief is shared by every individual here.”

Denis further emphasized, “The league title holds special significance for us as it provides an opportunity to showcase our abilities in the CAF Champions League. With the new generation of players, we have full confidence in our capabilities to continue our success and create new chapters of accomplishments,” concluded Denis.

The number ‘seven’ will hold great significance for Bafana Ba Style in the upcoming season. Alongside their quest for a seventh consecutive league title, the Brazilians will also be aiming for a seventh Nedbank Cup, having already clinched the prestigious knockout tournament six times in the past.

The stage is set for the Brazilians to script new tales of triumph and make an indelible mark on the South African football landscape. With an unwavering belief in our team’s abilities, we are confident that they will rise to the occasion and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

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