The second opponents at the CWC: Mamelodi Sundowns in portrait | OneFootball

General information

Mamelodi Sundowns' honours (selection)

Player in focus

In November 2018, Tashreeq Matthews (photo) joined Borussia Dortmund at the age of 18 before being loaned to Utrecht and Helsingborg. He played two Youth League games for the Black & Yellows before moving permanently to Sweden, first to Varberg and then to Sirius. In January 2024, the now 24-year-old returned to his native South Africa to join Mamelodi Sundowns. Last season, the left winger made 21 appearances, scoring five goals and providing six assists.

The South African record champions won the league title again shortly before the start of the Club World Cup and were also in the final of the CAF Champions League (2-3 defeat after first and second leg against Pyramids from Egypt). The South Africans, led by midfielder and captain Themba Zwane, who played a key role in South Africa's third-place finish at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, previously won the CAF Champions League in 2016.

About the club

Bright yellow jerseys with green trim, combined with blue shorts and white socks – it sounds like the Brazilian national team, but it's actually South African record champions Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club. But that explains why they are nicknamed the 'Brazilians." The club was founded in the early 1960s in Pretoria's Marabastad business district. However, in 1970, the club changed its location and name. Since then, it has been based in the township of Mamelodi near Pretoria.

Since the 2017/2018 season, no other South African club have managed to become continental champions. Mamelodi dominate their domestic league, but have only won the African Champions League once, in 2016. Mamelodi Sundowns have long been overshadowed by their rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, but they are now the clear number one in South Africa. This year's appearance in the CAF Champions League final also shows that they comfortably belong to the elite of African football.