Former Chiefs captain and Malawian international defender Patrick Mabedi has recalled how they managed to concede only 11 goals in the 2024/2025 season under the late Ted Dumitru.

Sundowns, who have only conceded 10 goals in 29 matches this season, play against Cape Town City at Loftus Stadium.

Mabedi says the similarity they have with the Sundowns team of today is quality.

"It's very true we did what we did and I need to give credit to Rulani and Sundowns for performing well like this but I think let's look at the quality we had then. We had very good quality players and look at what Sundowns have, similar to what we had. So, I think it's all about quality and support to the technical team," Mabedi said.

READ: Shannon Macomo delighted with first Banyana Banyana call-up

Sundowns, who will be crowned as the record-extending seventh league champions in a row, have continued to break many records this season.

But conceding the fewest number of goals in a 16-team league is one of the biggest records.

Mabedi, who won back-to-back league titles in the 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 seasons with Chiefs, says Sundowns deserve to break this record.

"I just wish that maybe they must not break our record, it must remain the same that's just my wish but let me say I think they have been doing well. They deserve even to beat our record because you can see the results that they've been doing and getting the points and do well in Africa and even locally," Mabedi added.

In that particular season, Mabedi led a Chiefs defense that included Fabian McCarthy, Cyril Nzama, the late Siphiwe Mkhonza, Patrick Mayo, Bevan Fransman, Nhlanhla Khubeka, and Derrick Spencer.

Under Dumitru’s style of play, Chiefs were more of a ball-playing team, similar to how the Sundowns of coach Rulani Mokwena play today.

CINDY BROWN

SA U21 womens hockey team gears up for the 2025 FIH Junior World Cup

Editors Pick