‘It Hurts’: Motsepe Opens Up On Losing PSL Title To Pirates
Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Thlopie Motsepe has opened up about the pain of losing the 2025/26 Betway Premiership title to Orlando Pirates, saying the defeat made the club realise just how important the trophy was to them.
Sundowns lost the league title to the Soweto giants for the first time since 2017, ending their run of eight consecutive league titles. Despite surrendering their domestic crown, Sundowns went on to claim a bigger prize last season by winning the CAF Champions League.
They now have a chance to reclaim the league title this season. Sundowns currently sit at the top of the standings with 20 points from eight games, while defending champions Orlando Pirates are just one point behind on 19 points from seven matches, with a game in hand.
“You don’t know what you have got until it is gone,” Motsepe said during a conversation with Robert Marawa on Mamelodi Sundowns TV.
“And now that we don’t have that Betway trophy, it hurts. I know that the players, knowing the champions and the quality they have, losing the trophy meant something to them. I think Marcelo Allende said it in a very nice way. He said, ‘We had to lose this to understand how important it is.’
“But at the same time, that trophy is something we can only win at the end of the season.”
Both Pirates and Sundowns will now meet in the blockbuster MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
The highly anticipated clash will be played in a sold-out stadium, with tickets selling out within a day of going on sale.
Motsepe added that winning the MTN8, along with the CAF Super Cup, would be important for Sundowns before the end of the year.
“Right now, there are a few trophies before the close of this year and, as you say, MTN8 and Super Cup are two very important trophies for us,” Motsepe added.
“And this group, they have dealt with pressure in big moments in the past and been able to overcome and make us believe. I think that, as we approach these other two trophies, at least one of those two is very much within our reach, if not both of them.
“I believe they have what it takes to make us all very proud and to ensure again that it is possible.”
