The No. 8 jersey has been worn by some top stars for Mamelodi Sundowns over the last 20 years, writes Nick Said.
ALEX BAPELA
Bapela is a Sundowns legend who played for the club during their three consecutive Premiership title wins from 1998–2000, among many other accolades. He wore the No.8 jersey with distinction and is fondly remembered by fans. He retired at Sundowns aged 33 after the 2002/03 season, and was later assistant coach under Pitso Mosimane.
LERATO CHABANGU
Playmaker Chabangu took over the No.8 in the 2005/06 season having arrived in the second half of the campaign from University of Pretoria. He had a tumultuous time with Sundowns, winning back-to-back league titles and scoring the winning goal in the 2008 Nedbank Cup final, but also battling with off-field issues that saw him in and out of the team. He had a half-season loan at SuperSport United, where he won the league again, but was released by Sundowns in July 2010. He would later revive his career at Moroka Swallows under Gordon Igesund, who had also coached him at The Brazilians.
HILTON JORDAAN
When Bapela retired the unlikely figure of Hilton Jordaan took over the No.8 jersey following his arrival from Jomo Cosmos in the 2003/04 season. He flitted between defence and the defensive midfield position, so it kind of made sense for him to take on the No.8. He made 16 appearances in his 18 months with the first team, and left mid-way through 2004/05 for Bush Bucks, a move he later described as “the worst decision of my life”.
TEKO MODISE
Modise took over the jersey number upon his arrival from Orlando Pirates, though it would only be for the 2010/11 campaign before he switched to the No.10, which he would wear for the next six years. Papi Zothwane was wearing 10 in Modise’s first season at Chloorkop, but the Bafana Bafana star grabbed it as soon as it became available.
BONGANI ZUNGU
The midfielder took over the number from Kekana but never enjoyed anywhere near his success. He was in and out of the team in his two seasons at Chloorkop before leaving for AmaZulu in 2024.
HLOMPHO KEKANA
Stalwart Kekana had worn the No.28 at SuperSport United and No.5 during his single season with Bloemfontein Celtic but settled into the No.8 released by Modise as soon as he arrived. He would hold onto that number for the next 11 seasons, before vacating it when it was announced he had mutually parted ways with the club in 2021. He is truly a legend of the team, having captained the side through the most successful period in their history. He won eight Premiership titles, six of them with Sundowns, and along with Brazilians goalkeeper Denis Onyango is the most decorated in that regard.
ERWIN SAAVEDRA
The Bolivian was back at Sundowns in 2024/25 following a loan spell away but again failed to find a way into the first team. His 2021 move was nothing short of a disaster.
JAYDEN ADAMS
The young midfielder arrived from Stellenbosch in 2024 and is now the owner of the number eight jersey, though he is also finding gametime hard to come by in the starstudded midfield. But he is certainly a player who can go on and become a club legend.
