Sundowns’ U18s Triumph in the Inaugural HopHydro Cup

Author: Erica Mathye

At Mamelodi Sundowns, the winning culture is visible and evident from the First Team to the Academy. Every age group continues to excel in their respective leagues and tournaments, and this was once again demonstrated as the Sundowns U18 squad claimed victory in the inaugural HopHydro Cup in Namibia, adding yet another prestigious international trophy to the Club’s expanding collection.

Under the leadership of legend and former Captain, Coach Micheal “Mike” Manzini, alongside coach Tiro van Rooyen and their expert technical team, the U18s achieved a clean sweep, winning all three of their matches and scoring a stunning 15 goals, while conceding only two in three matches.

For Coach Mike, one of the keys to their success was the squad’s cohesiveness—players who had spent considerable time together, including from their previous successful campaign in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) 2024 as U17s. According to Manzini, it was the psychological preparation that set the foundation for their victory.

“One of the important elements that we looked at when assembling the team and preparing them for the tournament was the psychological aspect. It was almost the same team that played as U17s in the 2024 GDL season, so we had to mentally equip them for an environment that they might be unfamiliar with. Once we made them understand the task ahead and the importance of playing together as a unit, we also created space for them to express themselves, not just as footballers, but as people. That is where the victory began,” Coach Mike said.

The first match saw Sundowns deliver a composed 2-0 victory against the hosts, CBS from Namibia. Then, in the second match, the boys from Pretoria went on a goal-scoring spree, obliterating FC Nürnberg from Germany with a 7-1 demolition. Their final game against Khomas XI also saw them put on a dominant performance, winning 6-1 to confirm their place as champions.

“Our athleticism was one of the key things that set us apart. All our opponents pointed it out, and we used that as a weapon to dominate the field. We certainly exceeded our expectations and every standard we set for ourselves. They were in full control of every game and their quality was evident from the first minute to the last,” Coach Mike explained.

This tournament victory was especially significant as it served as a moral booster for the team, particularly as they look ahead to the new season of the GDL.

“Winning this international title is crucial for their confidence. This victory shows them that they are capable of taking on anything and I believe they are more than ready to defend their title in the GDL,” Coach Mike concluded.

Tournament Highlights:

Champions of the inaugural HopHydro Cup in Namibia, with a perfect record (3 out of 3). 15 goals were scored, 2 conceded across 3 matches.

Game 1: 2-0 win against CBS (Namibia).
Game 2: Dominant 7-1 victory over FC Nürnberg (Germany).
Game 3: A commanding 6-1 win over Khomas (Namibia).

This victory is just the beginning for Mamelodi Sundowns’ talented young squad and the world will certainly be watching as they continue their rise in youth football.

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