Kekana Hails Crucial Pre-Season for Sundowns' 2026/27 Trophy Ambitions

Mamelodi Sundowns are embarking on a crucial pre-season ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, a period that club legend Hlompho Kekana believes will be instrumental in their quest for silverware. Kekana, a revered figure at the club, highlighted the significance of this preparation, stating that the team is finally "getting a pre-season that they have been longing for."

The 2025/26 season presented a formidable challenge for the Brazilians, marked by an exceptionally demanding schedule. The team transitioned directly from their participation in the FIFA Club World CupCompetition·FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States into the domestic league, enduring a relentless fixture list. Despite the arduous calendar, Sundowns made history by securing their first-ever victory in the FIFA Club World CupCompetition·FIFA Club World Cup, defeating South Korea's Ulsan HD.

Domestically, the 2025/26 Betway Premiership saw Mamelodi Sundowns finish in second place with 68 points from 30 matches, recording 20 wins, 8 draws, and 2 losses. This outcome brought an end to their impressive eight-year reign as league champions, with Orlando PiratesTeam·Orlando Pirates ultimately clinching the title with 69 points. A 3-2 defeat to TS Galaxy in their final league match proved costly, allowing Orlando PiratesTeam·Orlando Pirates to capitalize on games in hand.

However, the club's continental ambitions were realized with a triumphant run in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League. Mamelodi Sundowns secured their second title in Africa's elite club competition by overcoming Moroccan side AS FARTeam·AS FAR with a 2-1 aggregate victory. The first leg in Pretoria saw Sundowns claim a 1-0 win, followed by a crucial 1-1 draw in the second leg held in Rabat on May 24, 2026. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena scored a vital goal in the second leg, and goalkeeper Ronwen WilliamsPlayer·Ronwen Williams made a decisive penalty save to seal the championship.

Kekana emphasized that the upcoming pre-season offers a much-needed respite and an opportunity for strategic development. "For the first time in a long time, Sundowns are getting a pre-season that they have been longing for. It was a tough one last season coming from the Club World Cup and straight into the league. They had to play with a lot of games under their belt," Kekana stated to Sundowns media. He further elaborated on the benefits, adding, "More than anything, I think now they have got that break to integrate new players into the system. I believe that going forward, the team is heading into the right direction where they want to compete for every trophy in the league."

The CAF Champions League victory has significant implications for the club's future engagements. Mamelodi Sundowns have qualified for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 and secured a coveted spot in the FIFA Club World CupCompetition·FIFA Club World Cup 2029. They are also set to face USM Alger, the winners of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup, in the TotalEnergies CAF Super CupCompetition·CAF Super Cup 2026. This extended period of preparation is therefore critical for integrating new signings and fine-tuning the squad, enabling them to contend for silverware across multiple prestigious competitions.