A quiet transfer window could actually see Mamelodi Sundowns thrive in Africa

Mamelodi Sundowns did what they were supposed to do at the FIFA Club World Cup - they showcased the club's ability on the world stage and won the hearts of the masses.

Sundowns opened their Group H campaign with a win over Ulsan HD. That was no surprise given their pedigree and the strength of the team compared to the Koreans.

But it was against German giants Borussia Dortmund when they announced themselves to the world, as they put up a fearless and charismatic performance despite the 4-3 defeat.

Sundowns were so good in that game that many pundits and fans were rooting for them to beat Fluminense in their final group match and qualify for the last 16.

But it wasn’t to be, as the match ended in a draw, resulting in the Chloorkop-based side finishing third in their group and crashing out of the tournament.

Sure, it is often said “no one remembers the losers”, but Sundowns have defied that tag as many will be rooting for them if they qualify for the 2029 edition.

That tournament will be in four years’ time, but the time to build for the club is now - they need to invest in the club’s youth and polish the “Shoeshine and Piano” flair that saw them win over new fans.

The club has the likes of Jayden Adams (24), Malibongwe Khoza (21), Kutlwano Letlhaku (19) and Ndumiso Mabena (18) who should be able to drive vision 2029. But these youngsters cannot be thrown in the deep end now - they still need the guidance of seniors such as Teboho Mokoena (28) and Khuliso Mudau (30).

And so, as the transfer window slowly heats up this month, the club must be wary of buying unnecessary players and should instead focus on a succession plan.

Yes, challenging for top honours such as the Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League requires the team to have the best players at their disposal. And boy, Sundowns, thanks to their deep pockets, have the best players money can buy. But there’s no need for the club to strengthen the squad for the sake of killing local competition, instead they must buy what they need in their bids for the league and African crown.

Investing more in getting the best out of the current crop of players would also strengthen the competition, especially for continental football.

Winning the league has been like taking candy from a baby from Sundowns, with the team having won the last eight titles in a row due to poor competition at home. Strong competition would aid their bid to do well in African football, as the wheels tend to come off in the latter stages as it did in the Champions League final last season.

A good and competitive PSL top-flight league also goes a long way in making local teams thrive on the continent and Bafana Bafana in international football.

Bafana coach Hugo Broos values the impact of Sundowns’ team in his set-up, but he has been vocal about widening his selection pool, getting key players from other clubs.

So, with Sundowns still on holiday and set to back for pre-season in the third week of this month, one can only hope they’ll continue to be as quiet as possible in the transfer market.

In their silence, rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have been making the most noise - the duo signing nine and six players respectively thus far.

Pirates have bought most of the depth, including former Sundowns’ troublesome midfielder Sipho Mbule, as they strengthened the team under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.