‘It hurts’ – Sundowns chairman opens up on pain of losing PSL title to Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Thlopie Motsepe has opened up about the impact of missing out on the losing the Betway Premiership title to Orlando Pirates.

Sundowns had won eight straight league titles but Pirates dislodged them in 2025-26 as Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men held firm to end their 14-year drought in May.

While Motsepe acknowledged the improved standards of their rivals, he admits the Brazilians were hurt to miss out on a ninth crown in a row, but learnt their lessons which they hope to use to reclaim the trophy this term.

“You don’t know what you have got until it is gone,” Motsepe said during an interview with Robert Marawa.

Motsepe admits pain after missing title

“And now that we don’t have that Betway trophy, it hurts. I know that the players, knowing the champions and quality they have, losing the trophy meant something to them.

“I think Marcelo Allende said it in a very nice way. He said, we had to lose this to understand how important it is. But at the same time, that trophy is something we can only win at the end of the season.”

But while they look forward to reclaiming the crown, Motsepe says Sundowns must first collect the trophies coming up soon being the MTN8 final, where they will face Pirates on October 10, as well as the CAF Super Cup against USM Alger of Algeria on November 8.

Thlopie Motsepe:"You don't know what you've got until it's gone & now that we don't have #BetwayPrem trophy,it hurts.Losing that trophy meant something to Sundowns players.Allende said it in nice way.He said we had to lose it to understand how important this trophy is" #Sundowns pic.twitter.com/oxcw4N5AjE

— 𝒴𝑒𝓁𝓁𝑜ℳ𝒶𝓃𝕏💛👆 (@YELL0MAN) October 1, 2026

Sundowns boss on MTN8 and Super Cup

“Right now, there are a few trophies before the close of this year and like you say, MTN8 and Super Cup are two very important trophies for us,” he added.

“And this group, they have dealt with pressure in big moments in the past and been able to overcome and make us believe and I think that as we approach this other two trophies, I think at least one of those two are very much within our reach, if not both of them.

“I believe they have what it takes to make us all very proud and to ensure again that it is possible.”

Sundowns are top of the Betway Premiership table with 20 points from eight games but Pirates are just one behind, having played seven matches, setting the stage for another intriguing title fight.