Brian Mandela: Harambee Stars defender makes history with Mamelodi Sundowns

Harambee Stars defender Brian Mandela made history with Mamelodi Sundowns after winning a record-extending Premier Soccer League title.
 
This is Mandela’s third PSL title since he joined the Pretoria giants, who defeated rivals Kaizer Chiefs to win their seventh consecutive trophy. The Kenyan, however, did not feature in the match against Amakhosi, in which the Tshwane giants won by a margin of 5-1.

The Brazilians lifted the trophy with six games remaining in the 2023/24 season to win their 14th overall title.

After winning the game, Mandela’s head coach, Rhulani Mokwena, dedicated the win to the club’s chairman.

“It would be improper for me not to congratulate this football club on a historic seventh, Mamelodi Sundowns. Congratulations to the football club and everybody involved.

“I want to dedicate this victory, maybe even the victory is not enough, maybe the entire season to the chairman of this football club, Tlhopie Motsepe. I get emotional. In the good moments, he’s there; in the bad moments, he’s there,” the tactician said.

This is a huge morale-boosting title win for the Pretoria giants, who were recently eliminated from the CAF Champions League by Esperance in the semi-final.
Mokwena further lauded the players and said their fighting spirit was something worth celebrating.

“Incredible effort from the players; I’ve got to congratulate them; in fact, without them, this is not possible. This is a special group of players, and I don’t know if we’ll ever see something like this in South African football in the near future. It’s incredible.

“The leaders, when it’s good, stand at the back; when it’s bad, they take the bullets, and I’m still reeling because I feel I still disappointed the club, but I have to take it as a leader and keep going and try to push them to get this team to achieve what they deserve, and I’ll always try my best; I’m at service,” he added.

Eyeing new record

Last season, Sundowns lifted the title with 70 points and could surpass that record this time around.

Mokwena said they will attempt to do so.

“And the 71 points, why not? Why not go for it? It’s there; if you get it, kudos; if you don’t get it, unlucky, and you try again next time. Why not go for the next target? 

“Every mountain is there to be attempted to be climbed, and the moment you climb one mountain, this is [for] the most successful people, and what I always say about successful people is that they look for another mountain to climb.

“So, why not go for 71 points and break it because last season we got to 70? So, it’s possible; why not?”