BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Mamelodi Sundowns are shifting tactics in the transfer market.

- Dean Workman

The departure of Pitso Mosimane did not slow down the Mamelodi Sundowns juggernaut and now, with the machine continuing to steamroll all in its path, the club are starting to put into place the pieces that will ensure their continued success for years to come.

A number of the Brazilians have become icons of the league over the past seven years of Sundowns' dominance. The likes of Hlompho Kekana, Wayne Arendse, Tebogo Langerman, Ricardo Nascimento, and Tiyani Mabunda were the backbone of the side's success under Mosimane as they won it all.

However, the coaching trio of Mangoba Mnggithi, Rhulani Mokwena, and Steve Komphela have found a way to mix experience with youth, shipping out some of Mosimane's stalwarts and bringing in younger players to replace them.

The change in mindset from the new coaching staff has been clear as they looked to create a legacy of their own. It was never more apparent than when Kekana surprisingly left Sundowns, despite having signed a four-year contract extension a year before.

'It came in a season when we won the league. I already knew that it was time. Simply because I didn't play as much as I wanted. Simply because I could feel that environment was slowly changing for me,' Kekana told Goal.