Mamelodi Sundowns chairman reflects on surrendering league title to Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe has reflected on surrendering the Betway Premiership title to Orlando Pirates last season, which halted their dominance.

The 2025/26 campaign saw the Brazilians lose their grip on the championship, having won the league title for eight successive seasons, stemming from the 2017/18 term.

Pirates pipped Sundowns to supremacy with one point as they were crowned South African champions for the first time since the 2011/12 campaign under Augusto Palacios.

Notably, the Buccaneers clinched a treble as they also lifted the MTN8, knocking out Masandawana in the semi-final, before securing the Carling Knockout Cup.

Motsepe took to the end of season chairman letter to review Sundowns' performance, while congratulating Pirates for their exploits, and vowed his team will bounce back stronger next season.

“While we can certainly say that this season was special, we cannot say that the season was a complete success. We finished our 2026 campaign in a very strong manner, but we did not start as well as we had hoped,” wrote the Downs chairman on Edition 16 of Sundowns Magazine.

"In addition to failing to secure the local cups, we fell short of winning our ninth league title in a row. As much as it pains me to say this, we lost the league because our rivals were better than us over the course of the season.

"However, if we are to relinquish our domestic championship, let it be to an Orlando Pirates team that performed as exceptionally as they did this year. Congratulations to them and the other clubs that won silverware this season.

"Mamelodi Sundowns is an aspirational club that aims to win everything every year. And the years we do not win are the years we come back hungrier and more determined. Remember, every setback is an opportunity for a comeback.

While Sundowns had a disappointing domestic campaign, they finally won the elusive CAF Champions League, their second continental title, a decade after the maiden one.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

Related teams and leagues

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Orlando Pirates

CAF Champions League

South African Betway Premiership