Latest news with #Chloorkop-based
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Adams reacts to winning first league title with Sundowns
'It's a nice feeling for me to only achieve this in nearly just 6 months after coming here,' Adams said. Kegan Johannes, Jayden Adams, Tashreeq Matthews, Keanu Cuipdo and Jody February of Mamelodi Sundowns during their Betway Premiership title celebrations at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on 18 May 2025 ©Alche Greeff/BackpagePix Jayden Adams has expressed his delight after securing his first league title since making a high-profile switch from Stellenbosch FC to Mamelodi Sundowns in the January transfer window. The 24-year-old midfielder has made an immediate impact at the Chloorkop-based club, featuring in 17 Betway Premiership matches since his arrival. ALSO READ: Amajita down Morocco to clinch first ever AFCON title Adams has also contributed three league goals and played a key role in helping the Brazilians clinch a record-extending eighth consecutive league championship. 'It's a nice feeling for me to only achieve this in nearly just 6 months after coming here,' Adams said. 'This one goes to my family, friends and everyone back in Cape Town. It's a nice achievement for me and there's many more to come. To come here is not easy because there are a lot of good players here and I just came here and gave it my best. 'There are a lot of players that help me on and off the field like Ronwen (Williams) and Iqraam (Rayners) Mshishi (Themba Zwane), Grant (Kekana) and (Teboho) Mokoena.' The Bafana Bafana international was part of the national squad that earned a bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire last year. He believes that experience, along with Stellenbosch's campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup, helped prepare him to thrive at Sundowns. 'This helped me a lot because I played with a lot of players at Bafana and they helped me a lot. At Stellenbosch FC, I think the Confederation Cup helped me a lot to show my talent in Africa,' he added. 'It's a tough one for us playing every single week like three games in a row but preparation and recovery is important for us. We've won the league and now we can focus on the CAF Champions League final.' ALSO READ: Sundowns' Themba Zwane calls for focus ahead of CAF final The Tshwane giants will engage in a two-legged final against Pyramids FC of Egypt in the next two weeks to determine the 2024-25 CAF Champion League champions.
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Mamelodi Sundowns are 2024-25 Betway Premiership champions
Iqraam Rayners scored his 14th goal of the season which puts him level on top of the goal scoring charts with teammate Ribeiro. Teammates congratulate Arthur Sales of Mamelodi Sundowns on his second goal during the Betway Premiership match against Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium on May 14, 2025 in East London, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images) Mamelodi Sundowns have cemented their dominance in South African football after securing an unprecedented eighth consecutive league title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Chippa United in a Betway Premiership clash at Buffalo City Municipality Stadium on Wednesday night. An Iqraam Rayners strike and a brace by Arthur Sales were enough as the Brazilians moved to an unassailable tally of 70 points with one match left to play. ALSO READ: Sundowns' Onyango sets sights on Chippa and continental success Sundowns needed only one point to secure the championship, but they bagged all three to register their 23rd win of the season. As expected, Sundowns dominated the early exchanges with Lucas Ribeiro and Rayners threatening the Chippa goal. It didn't come as a surprise when Rayners opened the scoring in the 11th minute after weaving his way into the box before expertly placing his shot in the top corner. It was the former Stellenbosch FC striker's 14th goal of the season which puts him level on top of the goal scoring charts with teammate Ribeiro. The goal spurred on Masandawana who were looking to kill off the game in the opening 45 minutes, but Chippa goalkeeper Darren Johnson produced a number of good saves to keep his side in the game. Sales came off the bench to seal the win with a brace late in the second stanza. His first goal was a fortuitous one in the 69th minute. The Brazilian's attempted cross from the right caught Johnson off guard to sneak into the back of the net after hitting the woodwork. Johnson, who had a decent game, was also at fault for Sundowns' third goal. He gave the ball away to Sales in the box and the lanky striker punished him on the stroke of full time. The win gave Miguel Cardoso his first piece of silverware at Downs after taking over from Manqoba Mngqithi last December. Since joining the Chloorkop-based side, the Portuguese coach has overseen 20 league matches, recording 17 wins, two defeats, and one draw. His biggest victory margin came in February with a dominant 4-0 win over Golden Arrows. The only setbacks in Cardoso's tenure were losses against Orlando Pirates and TS Galaxy, while Arrows were the only team to hold Sundowns to a stalemate under his leadership. ALSO READ: Ex-Pirates coach Riveiro says he'll always be a 'Buccaneer' If the Tshwane giants win their final game of the season against Magesi FC, they will equal last season's total of 73 points which they achieved under Rulani Mokwena. Following the match against Magesi, Sundowns will turn their focus to the two-legged CAF Champions League final against Pyramids FC of Egypt later this month.
