Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C.
Full nameMamelodi Sundowns Ladies Football Club
NicknamesThe Brazilians
Banyana Ba Style
Masandawana
Downs
Ka bo Yellow
Short nameSundowns, MSFC, MSL
Founded2009 (2009)
GroundLucas Moripe Stadium
Capacity28 900
Coordinates25°46′33.31″S 28°4′22.33″E / 25.7759194°S 28.0728694°E / -25.7759194; 28.0728694
OwnerPatrice Motsepe
ChairmanTlhopie Motsepe
Head coachSouth Africa Godfrey Sapula
LeagueSAFA Women's League
20251st
Websitewww.sundownsfc.co.za

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Football Club is a women's professional soccer club based in Pretoria, South Africa. The team competes in the SAFA Women's League, the top tier women's football league in South Africa.[1][2][3] They are the most successful women's team in South Africa with eight titles.[4]

They won the inaugural CAF Women's Champions League in 2021.[5]

History

The club was founded on 4 September 2009 by owner Patrice Motsepe as part of Sundowns' expansion into women's football and they participated in the inaugural SAFA Provincial Women's League.

Early National Success and rise of Jerry Tshabalala (2013–2015)

Jerry Tshabalala became head coach in 2012, beginning the era that shaped the club’s identity and dominance. They announced themselves as a rising force in South African women’s football during the 2013 Sasol League National Championship, where they captured their maiden national title by defeating Limpopo’s Ma‑Indies Ladies 2–0 in the final held in Klerksdorp, marking the club’s first major national triumph.[6]

Sundowns set the Sasol League National Championship goal‑scoring record in 2015 with a staggering 25–0 victory over Galeshewe Ladies in Sasolburg, a scoreline that still stands unmatched.[7] They carried that momentum through the tournament and secured their second national championship, beating Cape Town Roses 5–0 in the final.[8]

Transition to the SAFA National Women’s League (2019–2020)

With the launch of the SAFA National Women’s League (SNWL) in 2019, Sundowns Ladies entered the country’s first professional women’s league. They won the inaugural SNWL title, finishing the season unbeaten with 21 wins and 1 draw.[9]

Domestic Dominance (2021–2024)

Sundowns Ladies maintained consistent superiority in the SNWL, winning multiple consecutive league titles. In 2021, they secured another championship and qualified for regional competition.[10] In 2022, they set a league record by scoring 126 goals, becoming the first team to surpass 100 goals in a single season.[11][12] They continued their dominance through 2023 and 2024, regularly finishing with high goal tallies and maintaining one of the best defensive records in the league.[13][14]

The team has been one of the most dominant teams in the COSAFA Women’s Champions League, consistently reaching the latter stages and twice winning the regional title. They won the inaugural 2021 COSAFA qualifiers, producing emphatic scorelines throughout the group stage before defeating Green Buffaloes in the semi‑final and Black Rhino Queens in the final to secure qualification for the first CAF Women’s Champions League. In 2022, they again topped their group but lost to Green Buffaloes on penalties in the final, though they still qualified automatically as defending African champions. Sundowns reclaimed the regional crown in 2023, sweeping through the group stage with three clean‑sheet victories and setting a record scoreline with an 8–0 victory over Olympic de Moroni. They also defeated Green Buffaloes and Double Action Ladies in the knockout rounds to earn another CAF Champions League berth.

On 13 August 2023, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies defeated the University of Johannesburg 1–0 in the final of the inaugural Joburg Basadi Football Challenge.[15]

Continental Competition and CAF Champions League Success (2021–2023)

Sundowns Ladies represented the COSAFA region in the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League in 2021.[16] They won the tournament, defeating Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana 2–0 in the final and completing the competition undefeated without conceding a goal. In 2022, they reached the final again but finished as runners‑up to AS FAR of Morocco. They reclaimed the continental title in 2023, defeating Sporting Casablanca 3–0 in the final and once again completing the tournament without conceding.

Their continental achievements earned them recognition as CAF Women’s Club of the Year in 2022 and 2023.[17][18]

On 10 May 2024, it was announced that Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies had been invited to participate in the 2024 edition of The Women’s Cup, scheduled for August.[19] On 15 August 2024, they played their opening match against Kansas City Current of the United States, losing 3–0.[20] They were defeated 2–0 by Japan’s INAC Kobe in their second match of the tournament.[21]

At the end of the 2022 season, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies were ranked as the best women’s club in Africa by the IFFHS, earning 174 points.[22] In 2023, the club retained its position as Africa’s top‑ranked women’s team for a second consecutive year, accumulating 238 points and finishing tied for 19th in the IFFHS Women’s Club World Ranking.[23]

Godfrey Sapula era (2025–Present)

In 2025 they appointed Godfrey Sapula as head coach.[24] Their 2025 COSAFA Women's Champions League campaign began strongly with three group‑stage wins, but they were eliminated in the semi‑finals by ZESCO Ndola Girls. Across all editions, Sundowns Ladies established themselves as the benchmark club in the COSAFA region, combining high‑scoring performances with consistent progression to continental competition. They won their sixth consecutive league title on 20 November 2025 with two games to spare under new coach Sapula.[25]

Media

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have been featured across several club‑produced and broadcast media platforms. In September 2021, the club launched the first edition of its quarterly Mamelodi Sundowns Magazine. The December 2021 issue, titled Banyana ba Style: Queens of the Continent, highlighted the team’s maiden CAF Women’s Champions League triumph and featured captain Zanele Nhlapho alongside Bambanani Mbane, Chuene Morifi, Thalea Smidt, and Andisiwe Mgcoyi on the cover.[26][27]

Ahead of the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League final, the club released a documentary titled Banyana Ba Style: The First Queens of African Football, which premiered on SuperSport channel 202 on 13 November 2022.[28] In 2023, Netflix announced that the documentary would be available on its platform from 22 November.[29]

On 7 April 2024, the club expanded its media presence with the launch of Sundowns Ladies TV, a weekly show broadcast on SABC 1 and hosted by sports presenter Bokamoso Jessica Nkomo (“Aunty Diski”).

Players

As of December 2025

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C. squad for 2025 season.[30]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  RSA Mbali Ntimane
2 DF  RSA Karabo Makhurubetshi (Vice Captain)
3 DF  RSA Lebohang Ramalepe (Captain)
4 MF  RSA Khunjulwa Mali
5 MF  RSA Katleho Malebane
6 MF  RSA Lehlogonolo Mashigo
7 FW  RSA Ronnel Donnelly
8 FW  BOT Refilwe Tholakele
9 FW  LES Boitumelo Rabale
10 FW  RSA Melinda Kgadiete
11 DF  RSA Bambanani Mbane
12 DF  RSA Oratile Mokwena
13 MF  RSA Noxolo Cesane
14 DF  RSA Tiisetso Letsoso
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 FW  RSA Lelona Daweti
16 DF  RSA Khutso Pila
17 MF  RSA Jabulile Mbatha
18 MF  RSA Kholosa Biyana
19 MF  RSA Nonhlanhla Mthandi
20 MF  RSA Munashe Mugwara
21 DF  RSA Karabo Dhlamini
22 GK  BOT Sedilame Boseja
23 MF  RSA Tiisetso Makhubela
24 GK  RSA Andile Dlamini
25 MF  RSA Isabella Ludwig
26 DF  RSA Asanda Hadebe
27 FW  RSA Nthabiseng Majiya

Technical team

Position Staff
Head CoachSouth Africa Godfrey Sapula
Assistant CoachSouth Africa Agnes Nkosi
Goalkeeper CoachSouth Africa Koketso Tshabalala
Head of FootballSouth Africa Christa Kgamphe-Jane
Team DoctorSouth Africa Nokufa Makae
Kit ManagerSouth Africa Nokubonga Bala
AdministratorSouth Africa Dipuo Maboe

Coaching record

All-time Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies coaching records
Coach Nat. Tenure Games Win Loss Draw Win %
Jerry Tshabalala  South Africa January 2013 – December 2024
Godfrey Sapula  South Africa January 2025 – present (as of March 2026) 342932085.29

Kit suppliers and sponsors

Same sponsors as the men's team

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Sleeve sponsor
2014–2016 United States Nike South Africa Ubuntu-Botho Investments
2016–present Germany Puma[31] South Korea Hyundai[32]

Notable players

FIFA World Cup participants

List of players that were called up for a FIFA Women's World Cup while playing for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies. In brackets, the tournament played:

Summer Olympics participants

List of players that were called up for the Summer Olympic Games while playing for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies. In brackets, the tournament played:

Honours

Type Competition Titles Seasons
Domestic SAFA Women's League/National Championship 8 Champions (8): 2013, 2015, 2019-20, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Gauteng Provincial League 3 Champions (3): 2013, 2015, 2017
Continental CAF Women's Champions League 2s Champions (2): 2021, 2023
Runners-up (1): 2022
COSAFA Women's Champions League 3 Champions (3): 2021, 2023, 2026
Runners-up (1): 2022
  •   Record
  • S Shared record

Awards

Club records

Type Nat Name Record
Most Trophies Won - Coach South Africa Jerry Tshabalala 12
League victory South Africa vs Thunderbirds Ladies 13–0 (2024 SAFA Women's League)[34]
COSAFA victory Comoros vs Olympic de Moroni 8–0 (2023 COSAFA Women's Champions League)[35]
Record victory South Africa vs Galeshewe Ladies 25–0 (2015 Sasol League National Championship)[36]
CAF victory Egypt vs Wadi Degla 5–0 (2022 CAF Women's Champions League)[37]
Record defeat Morocco vs AS FAR 4–0 (2022 CAF Women's Champions League)[38]

CAF Women's Champions League record

Season Pos Record
PWDLFAGD
2021Champions 5 3 2 0 4 0 4
2022Runners up 5 4 0 1 12 5 7
2023Champions 5 5 0 0 10 0 10
20245th place 3 1 0 2 5 3 2

SAFA Women's League record

Season Pos Record
PWDLFAGDPst
2019-20Champions 22 21 1 0 83 13 70 64
2021Champions 26 24 1 1 87 14 73 73
2022Champions 30 27 1 2 126 13 113 82
2023Champions 30 26 3 1 97 15 82 81
2024Champions 30 27 2 1 114 12 102 83
2025Champions 30 26 2 2 86 7 79 80
  • Orange = In progress
  • Gold = Champions
  • Silver = Runner up

SAFA Women's League statistics

  • Record number of games won in a season: 27 games (2022 and 2024)
  • Record number of points in a season: 83 points (2024)
  • Record goals scored in a season: 126 goals (2022)
  • Record for lowest number of goals conceded in a season: 7 goals (2025)
  • Record for lowest number of defeats in a season: no games lost (2019–20)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Sundowns Ladies coach excited by return women's football". Daily Citizen. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Sundowns Ladies claim SNWL Title". Gsport.co.za. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  3. ↑ "Sundowns in top form ahead of regional Champions League". Cosofa.com. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  4. ↑ Hip, Chante Ho. "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies clinch 6th straight league title". EWN. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "remember-the-name-mamelodi-sundowns-becomes-the-first-ever-wcl-champions". remember-the-name-mamelodi-sundowns-becomes-the-first-ever-wcl-champions. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  6. ↑ SAFA (1 December 2013). "Sundowns Deserved SASOL League Champions". gsport4girls. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  7. ↑ "Sundowns blast record-breaking 25 goals past Galeshewe Ladies". George Herald. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  8. ↑ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies win Sasol League". Daily Sun. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  9. ↑ Laduma, Soccer. "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Crowned Champions Of SAFA's National Women's League". Soccer Laduma. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  10. ↑ Voice, Diski (5 December 2021). "Sundowns Crowned Champions OF Hollywoodbets Super League | Diski Voice". Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  11. ↑ Writer, FARPost (20 October 2022). "HISTORIC: Sundowns Ladies hit 100-goal mark". FARPost. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  12. ↑ "Final Hollywoodbets Super League Wrap". iDiski Times. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  13. ↑ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies clinch record fifth league title | soccer". SABC. 3 November 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  14. ↑ Pillay, Alicia (7 December 2023). "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Defend Hollywoodbets Super League Title". gsport4girls. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  15. ↑ Sikazwe, Millicent Nondyebo Sikazwe (13 August 2023) [13 August 2023]. "MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES FOOTBALL CLUB SCOOP R150 000 PRIZE". Joburg.org.za. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "Mamelodi Sundowns ladies to compete in women's caf champions". Kickoff. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  17. ↑ "All CAF Awards Winners Revealed". iDiski Times. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  18. ↑ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies retain Club of the Year award". CAF. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  19. ↑ Ndubane, Khaya (11 May 2024). "Sundowns Ladies to take part in Women's Cup in USA". The Citizen. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  20. ↑ "Mamelodi Sundowns humbled by ruthless Kansas City Current in their US tour | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  21. ↑ Pillay, Alicia (18 August 2024). "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Go Down to INAC Kobe Leonessa in Women's Cup Bronze Medal Match". gsport4girls. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  22. ↑ "IFFHS". www.iffhs.com. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  23. ↑ "IFFHS". iffhs.com. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  24. ↑ "Godfrey Sapula to coach Sundowns Ladies in absence of suspended Jerry Tshabalala | soccer". SABC. 2 March 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  25. ↑ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies crowned 2025 champions — six in a row". SuperSport. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  26. ↑ Magazine, Mamelodi Sundowns (23 December 2021). "Magazine - Edition 2". Mamelodi Sundowns Magazine. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  27. ↑ "Netflix to feature doccie on Sundowns Ladies, 'Banyana ba Style'". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  28. ↑ "Mamelodi Sundowns launch ladies team film". SuperSport. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  29. ↑ Diamond, Drew (16 November 2023). "South African club Mamelodi Sundowns to release Netflix documentary". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  30. ↑ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC squad". Mamelodi Sundowns FC. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  31. ↑ "Mamelodi Sundowns sign lucrative long-term deal with Puma". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  32. ↑ Holmes, Elena (17 October 2017). "Mamelodi Sundowns net Hyundai deal". SportsPro. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  33. ↑ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC Named gsport Newsmaker of the Year 2025". gsport4girls. 9 December 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  34. ↑ "Records tumble as Sundowns Ladies run riot against Thunderbirds Ladies | soccer". SABC. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  35. ↑ "EN, FR, PR: Record-breakers Mamelodi Sundowns get big win in Durban". 31 August 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  36. ↑ "EN, FR, PR: Record-breakers Mamelodi Sundowns get big win in Durban". 31 August 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  37. ↑ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies thump Wadi Degla to reach Caf Women's Champions League semi-finals | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  38. ↑ "AS FAR stun nine-woman Mamelodi Sundowns to clinch 2022 Caf Women's Champions League title | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
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