Mamelodi Sundowns wrote a modern-day sports fairytale on Saturday by completing one of the greatest comebacks in recent history to win the PSL title.
Trailing Kaizer Chiefs – who owned top spot in the league since August last year and enjoyed a 13-point lead at one stage – by a goal-difference of three on the final day, Downs had it all to do.
They then left nothing on the field to klap Black Leopards, who will now play in the Premiership survival playoffs, 3-0 thanks to a Lebogang Maboe hattrick.
Still the win wouldn’t have been enough if Chiefs, who played at the same time, had won their match.
But Amakhosi choked big time and were held to a 1-1 draw by Baroka, who secured their top-flight status for next season with the result, after Khama Billiat’s first half strike was cancelled out by Manuel Kambala.
Kambala’s strike handed Downs their 10th league title since 1998 and third in a row, also lifting Mosimane’s men to the top of the pile for the FIRST TIME this season.
Bra Jingles couldn’t have been happier that he proved his doubters wrong.
He says: “It was difficult because we never had a chance, we only had one and a half hours when Chiefs lost to Wits [last week], that was the only sniff we had...
“A lot of people didn’t believe in the team, a lot of people didn’t believe in me, only the Yellow Nation, they are the people who support us.”
While Mosimane’s Kabo Yellow is happy, all involved at Chiefs are hartseer and kwaad.
Gutted coach Ernst Middendorp explains: “Basically, we’re all disappointed.
“It’s not only the technical team. It’s the players of course, the supporters, the fans who were hoping that their 50th [anniversary] year would see them crowned champions.
“It’s a disappointment, sorry that’s what I can say.”