Mamelodi Sundowns last played a match on June 25, 2025 when they suffered elimination from the FIFA Club World Cup.
Sundowns had impressed at the tournament, winning 1-0 against Ulsan HD, running Borussia Dortmund close before losing 4-3, and ended their tournament with a goalless draw against Brazilian side Fluminense.
The match against Fluminense ended their journey at the tournament but they left a lasting impression and since then, nothing much has been heard from them as the players took a well-deserved break.
Since then, much has happened around their PSL arrivals chief among them the transfer window and pre-season.
Chiefs Still Losing Matches
Since Sundowns’ last match, Kaizer Chiefs went on a tour of the Netherlands for pre-season but from their two-week stay, they come back to South Africa still with question marks around them.
This is because Chiefs featured in five matches against Dutch sides and lost four, winning one while they conceded nine goals and only scored three.
Chiefs started with a 2-1 loss to Vitesse, followed by a 4-0 defeat to Utrecht before NEC handed them 1-0 defeat and their only win was a 1-0 victory past PEC Zwolle. They ended their tour with a 2-1 loss to FC Twente.
Mohau Nkota Secured Dream Transfer
Another major news that happened since Sundowns’ last match was the surprise transfer of winger Mohau Nkota from Orlando Pirates to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.
Nkota became the first-ever South African player to join the cash-rich Saudi league after signing a three-year deal with reports claiming Pirates will pocket over R30 million while he will earn more than R12 million per year in what is a major coup for both player and the Soweto giants.
Rele Earned Five PSL Awards Nominations
While Nokota sealed a big-money transfer, his ‘Cocomelon’ counterpart Relebohile Mofokeng continues to be linked with moves away from Pirates although the Buccaneers refuted claims that a bid of over R100 million has been received for him from Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.
Where Rele’s future lies is still not known but what is known is that he is in line to receive plenty of accolades at the PSL Awards, having earned five nominations.
Mofokeng is nominated for the prestigious Footballer of the Season, Players' Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season, Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player and MTN8 Last Man Standing and is favourite to scoop most of them.
Chiefs & Pirates Busiest in the Transfer Market
Meanwhile, a key highlight of the off-season has been the transfer activities of the PSL sides with Pirates and Chiefs among the busiest teams in the market while Sundowns are yet to sign a single player.
Pirates have so far brought in 10 players being Sipho Mbule (free), Yanela Mbuthuma (Richards Bay), Masindi Nemtajela (Marumo Gallants), Tshepang Moremi (AmaZulu), Nkosikhona Ndaba (Richards Bay), Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United), Tshepo Mashiloane (Baroka) and Sihle Nduli (Stellenbosch), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Kamogelo Sibelebele (TS Galaxy).
Chiefs have signed six being Flavio Silva (Persebaya Surabaya, Indonesia), Ethan Chislett (Port Vale, England), Nkanyiso Shinga (FC Alverce, Portugal), Paseka Mako (Orlando Pirates), Thabiso Monyane (Orlando Pirates), Siphesihle Ndlovu (SuperSport United).
European Moves for SA Stars
Other big news that has come to the fore since Sundowns’ last match is that Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart secured a big-money transfer to Europe while Amajita star Tylon Smith is also on his way out.
Maart completed a move to Austrian side SV Ried, signing a two-year contract with the newly-promoted side while Smith is reportedly on the verge of joining English Championship club Queens Park Rangers from Stellenbosch FC.
