Who has worn the no. 10 jersey at Mamelodi Sundowns in the past two decades? Asks Nick Said.

GODFREY SAPULA

The Soweto-born former Bafana Bafana midfielder arrived at Sundowns from Orlando Pirates in 2002, having also previously played in Turkey and Chile, and would spend six seasons with the club. He eventually left in 2008 for Platinum Stars, having scored 24 goals in 136 starts.

THANDO MNGOMENI

Mngomeni, the younger brother of former Orlando Pirates stalwart Thabo, spent just a single season at Sundowns in what was ultimately a career that never reached the heights many expected given his potential. He had come through the ranks at Cape Town club Santos and took over the No.10 at Sundowns when he joined for the 2008/09 campaign as Sapula departed for Dikwena. He made 15 starts in all competitions in his single campaign, without scoring a goal.

PAPI ZOTHWANE

Zothwane arrived from Lamontville Golden Arrows in the 2009/10 season having been earmarked as a midfielder for Bafana Bafana at the 2010 World Cup, though his challenge for that position faded. He was at the club for three years, though the final six months were spent on loan at Bloemfontein Celtic, before he retired at the age of 31 as his career rather fizzled out. He took over the No.10 jersey from Mngomeni, but battled to earn a starting place, managing only 20 over that time.

TEKO MODISE

With Zothwane not registered for 2011/12, Modise took over the No.10 having initially been wearing 8 in his first campaign at the club following his switch from Orlando Pirates, which was a huge deal at the time. Modise, who was a late bloomer in the PSL, was already 28 when he joined, but would spend the next seven seasons as a key part of the club before his influence waned towards the end and he left for Cape Town City in 2017/18. Modise scored 31 goals in 155 starts (and 47 sub appearances) for Sundowns and was part of the side that lifted the CAF Champions League in 2016.

GASTON SIRINO

The No.10 jersey was vacant through the 2017/18 season with Uruguayan Sirino taking 26 when he first arrived at the club midway through the campaign. He kept that number for his first 18 months, before eventually taking 10 for the 2019/20 season. In all he made 159 starts (and 48 sub appearances) for The Brazilians, scoring 44 goals, before jumping ship to Kaizer Chiefs ahead of the 2024/25 season.

LUCAS RIBEIRO

Ribeiro was initially No.23 when he arrived at the club in 2023 but took on 10 when Sirino vacated it. He has worn the number with aplomb, and been arguably the club’s best player, leading to plenty of interest from overseas clubs.