Mamelodi Sundowns Academy
Football club
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mamelodi Sundowns Academy is a South African football reserve team based in Mamelodi, Pretoria in the Gauteng province. The U/23 team plays in the PSL Reserve League and the junior teams in the Gauteng Development Leagues.
| Full name | Mamelodi Sundowns Academy | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 | ||
| Owner | Patrice Motsepe | ||
| Chairman | Tlhopie Motsepe | ||
| Head of Academy |  Paulo Cardoso | ||
| League | PSL Reserve League Gauteng Development League | ||
| 1st | |||
| Website | sundownsfc | ||
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| Active departments of Mamelodi Sundowns | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Football (Men's) | Football B (Men's) | |
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| Football (Women's) | Football B (Women's) | |
It is the academy of Mamelodi Sundowns.[1] In 2016 the U17 team won the Gothia Cup.[2]
Paulo Cardoso is the Head of Academy.[3]
Diski Challenge team
They won their maiden PSL Reserves title during the 2016/17 season.[4] As the MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC) champions, they won a trip to the Netherlands.[5]
In the 2023-24 season they finished as runners-up with 66 points to Stellenbosch's 67 points.[6]
Academy
In 2016 they won the Gothia Cup defeating English side Kinetic Academy 2–0 in the final. The team scored 20 goals and only conceded 4 in the tournament.[2][7] In they same year, they finished as runner's up in the J-League U/17 Cup after losing 1–0 to Mtsumoto.[8]
Engen Knockout Challenge
In 2023 they won the Engen Knockout Challenge defeating TS Galaxy 5-4 via penalties after a goalless draw.[9]
In July 2024 they lost their Engen Knockout Challenge title to Kaizer Chiefs after a 2-0 loss in the final played at Wits Marks Park.[10]
Gauteng Development League
In 2024 the U/15 won the top 8 cup while the U/13 and U/19s were runners-ups. In 2024 the under 15 and 17 won the Gauteng Development League. The under 13 and 19 teams were runners up in the league.[11]
In 2025 the U/15 team defended their Top 8 cup and under 13, 15, 17, and 19 won league titles. The under 14 team were runners-ups in the league.[12]
in 2026 the U/13 and U/15 won the top 8.[13]
Honours
U/20
- PSL Reserve League: 2016/17; Runners-up: 2023/24
- Gothia Cup: 2016
- J-League U/17 Cup: Runners-Up: 2016
- Diski Challenge Shield: Runners-up: 2018, 2019
- Engen Knockout Challenge: 2023; Runners-Up: 2024
U/17
- Gauteng Development League: 2024, 2025; Runners-up: 2021
U/15
- Gauteng Development League: 2020, 2024, 2025; Runners-up: 2021, 2022, 2023
- GDL Top 8: 2024, 2025, 2026
U/13
- Gauteng Development League: 2026; Runners-up: 2024
- GDL Top 8: 2026
Notable players
Players from the academy that went on to play for Bafana Bafana:[14]
FIFA U-17 World Cup
List of players that were called up for a FIFA U-17 World Cup while playing for the academy. In brackets, the tournament played:
- Walter Kubheka (2015)
- Thendo Mukumela (2015)
- Notha Ngcobo (2015)
- Liam Marithinus (2025)
- Kamohelo Maraletse (2025)
- Lebogang Mswane (2025)
- Omphemetse Sekgoto (2025)
- Selwyn Stevens (2025)
FIFA U-20 World Cup
List of players that were called up for a FIFA U-20 World Cup while playing for the academy. In brackets, the tournament played:
- Keletso Makgalwa (2017)
- Thendo Mukumela (2017)
- Khulekani Kubheka (2017)
- Malebogo Modise (2017) and (2019)
- Glen Baadjies (2019)
- Promise Mkhuma (2019)
- Siphesihle Mkhize (2019)
- Brendon Moloisane (2019)
- Gomolemo Kekana (2025)
- Kutlwano Letlhaku (2025)
- Siyabonga Mabena (2025)
- Thato Sibiya (2025)
- Asekho Tiwani (2025)