𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙧 𝙪𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙧 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙙?

"𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘺𝘱𝘦", that is the mini slogan bestowed upon Masandawana by the FIFA Club World Cup tournament, deservingly so! Sundowns fans have successfully branded themselves as the committed partner who cheers their better half through the good and the trying times but it seems they have reached a boiling point, everyone does at some point but is it justifiable or they are simply spoilt? Walk with me. 

Undeniably, Sundowns have been bossing local football for almost a decade now and rising to the occasion whenever they step outside South African boarders. However, they have been landing at OR Tambo empty handed for the past nine years. The reigning champions have participated in five cup finals between 2022 & 2025, which included the big fish; CAF Champions League final. Sadly they have only walked away with the Nedbank Cup trophy in 2022, making it a one out of five. Despite all these cup final losses, Sundowns has consistently held on to their PSL Champions status for eight consecutive seasons, but is winning the league alone enough? Do the Cup finals defeats overshadow the league dominance? 

Three months ago Masandawana fans came from far and near to witness their first ever CAF Champions League final since 2016. These fans travelled across the Country, Cape to Polokwane, some crossed boarders; Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland branches (they are referred to as International Branches in Mamelodi Sundowns Supporters Structures terms). This meant dipping deep into their pockets for transport, accommodation and meals, but their cheerfulness was short lived when Pyramids FC scored an equalizer in the 11th hour. Sadness filled the sold out Loftus versfeld stadium and its loudness was heart-piercing, however, not all was lost, there was still a chance for the team to redeem themselves in the second leg of the final in Cairo and give its fans the much deserved happiness.

Things took an unexpected turn in Egypt when Pyramids FC capitalized on the home ground advantage and emerged victorious, Sundowns marched out of the competition as bridesmaids. As aforementioned, they got into this final having lost two finals in 2024, and one in 2023. The fans had to quickly lick their wounds and rally behind the club as the team boarded flights to the United States of America for the FIFA Club World Cup where they shot themselves in the foot and exited the tournaments in its group stages. One can argue that they made their mark and gave big clubs like Borussia Dortmund a run for their money and this begs the question yet again, does almost count? 

The 2025/26 season kicked off earlier this month with the MTN8 Cup competition, the Tshwane Giants faced Richards Bay FC in an encounter that rained goals. The fans were impressed that despite a very short off season break, the team is upholding its standard. That led to their first Betway Premiership game in the Eastern Cape being easily predicted by many as victorious, unexpectedly, Chippa United FC put up a good fight and spoils were shared. The matches that followed evoked emotions that had fans calling out the club on social media to relook its technical team.

The MTN8 semifinal in Orlando did not help matters and after the second leg in Atteridgeville clips of fans throwing plastic bottles into the pitch and blocking the team bus were circulating on social media. The cherry on top came on Wednesday when the team played a goaless draw against Kaizer Chiefs FC. Over the years the bond between Mamelodi Sundowns FC and its fans have been growing visibly and displayed after every game in a dancing and singing tradition, on Wednesday during the bonding session, fans voiced their concerns loudly chanting "Cardoso must go". Will Sundowns management listen to the disgruntled fans or will they allow Cardoso a chance to continue fulfilling his contractual duties?

By Kgothatso Malepe