Mamelodi Sundowns poised for another dominant season
Mamelodi Sundowns will enter the 2025/26 Premiership season with their sights set on an unprecedented ninth consecutive league title.
Their recent showing at the FIFA Club World Cup further highlighted the gulf in class between them and the rest of the domestic competition.
While most teams have spent the off-season preparing for the upcoming campaign, the Brazilians had their schedule extended by international commitments.
Their participation in the expanded Club World Cup saw them go toe-to-toe with some of the world's elite, leaving them with limited time to rest before turning their focus back to local matters.
That short turnaround could be a blessing in disguise. For a squad used to juggling multiple competitions throughout the season, a brief break may be just enough to recharge without losing sharpness. It might even give them a competitive edge heading into the opening weeks.
There hasn't been a flurry of incoming transfer activity at Chloorkop, but with the depth and quality already in the squad, it was hardly necessary.
The core group that powered them to glory last season remains intact. That continuity offers stability at a time when many of their rivals are rebuilding and integrating new faces.
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The South African
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In combining fossil fuels, renewable energy, nuclear power, and grid infrastructure investment, the UAE is advancing a comprehensive energy blueprint. The planned US $440 billion investment represents not only a financial behemoth but also an instrument of global strategic influence. It emphasises that addressing AI's power demands requires more than adding generation capacity—it necessitates a re-engineering of the entire energy ecosystem, from source to socket. Should this programme achieve even partial success, it may herald a transformational era for the U.S. energy sector. By unlocking stalled projects and upgrading outdated networks, such a wave of investment could bolster grid reliability, reduce carbon emissions, and accelerate adoption of next-generation technologies. As AI continues its inexorable rise—touching every facet of modern life—the infrastructural foundation to support its energy appetite must evolve swiftly. For now, the UAE's vision marks a significant pivot in global energy collaboration. Anchored by XRG and endorsed by leaders across sectors, the plan extends beyond short-term profit—it offers a blueprint for securing the technological backbone of tomorrow's economy. If realised, it stands to define a new model of strategic energy partnership: dynamic, integrated, and purpose-built for an age of intelligence and innovation. Written by: *Dr Iqbal Survé Past chairman of the BRICS Business Council and co-chairman of the BRICS Media Forum and the BRNN *Chloe Maluleke Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group Russian & Middle Eastern Specialist **The Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL. ** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE ** Follow @brics_daily on X/Twitter & @brics_daily on Instagram for daily BRICS+ updates
