Mamelodi Sundowns are chasing the record tally of 71 points set under former coach Pitso Mosimane, but wrapping up the title too early has become a bad omen for the past two seasons.
The Brazilians were confirmed as DStv Premiership champions for the seventh consecutive season with six games to spare after trouncing ten-man Kaizer Chiefs 5-1 last week Thursday.
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However, Masandawana had an anticlimax in their first game since being crowned champions after they were held to a goalless draw by Golden Arrows on Wednesday.
Although they remain on course to become the first South African side to finish the season unbeaten, their chase to break the record tally of 71 points set in the 2015/16 season under former coach Pitso Mosimane could be a slog, judging by how they fared after wrapping the title early in the previous two seasons.
Last season, the Brazilians clinched the league title with seven games to spare and experienced a dip in form afterwards, managing only two victories and five draws in their last seven 'dead-rubber' games.
As a result, out of a possible 21 points, Sundowns collected only 11 points and posted 70 points, one shy of equalling the 71 points record in the PSL.
In the 2021/22 campaign, the Tshwane giants were crowned champions with four games to spare and out of a maximum of 12 points on offer, they collected seven: two wins, a draw and defeat.
When the side set the record of 71 points under Mosimane, they clinched the title with only two games to spare.
The Brazilians could be challenged by the lack of momentum and motivation of keeping the same performances after wrapping up the title early and, inevitably, seeing key changes to the line-up.
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They would also be having divided attention, with a Nedbank Cup final looming on 1 June, and will complete their five games remaining against Royal AM twice, Stellenbosch, TS Galaxy and Cape Town City, before battling Orlando Pirates in the cup final.
Sundowns need nine points from their last five matches to break the PSL record tally of points set at the club under Mosimane.
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