Mamelodi Sundowns star Themba Zwane achieved an impressive milestone – and joined a select group of players – after scoring his 50th league goal in last Friday’s win over AmaZulu. ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Mamelodi Sundowns lead Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs in club rankings

Mamelodi Sundowns remain the best team in South Africa ahead of both Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, according to Football Database.

by Ernest Makhaya

12-02-2021 18:11

in Soccer

Mamelodi Sundowns remain the best team in South Africa ahead of both Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

This is according to the latest club rankings released by Football Database.

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Football Database uses an algorithm that considers the results, the strength of the competition before awarding points based on each match played by all the teams.

Now, Sundowns are SA’s top side as they are currently fifth in Africa’s club rankings.

The Brazilians won a treble last season, bagging the league, Telkom Knockout Cup and the Nedbank Cup titles.

The league title was Sundowns’ 10th in the PSL era – no any other team has won more than four league titles since 1996.

And this includes both the Buccaneers and Amakhosi who have won the title four league titles.

Both Pirates and Chiefs have dropped in the club rankings since the previous publication in 2020 following what has been a difficult period for them.

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The Sea Robbers are currently placed 18th in the rankings despite their recent MTN8 triumph.

On the other, Chiefs have moved from position 19 to 28 in Africa; understandably so as they have struggled for positive results this season.

Things appear to gone banana shape for the Naturena-based side since the arrival of Gavin Hunt at the start of the season, especially given where Amakhosi finished with Ernst Middendorp in charge.

However, there are several factors that have contributed to their decline, including their inability to sign new players due to the FIFA transfer ban imposed on them.