Sundowns were beaten 2-0 by TS Galaxy and could have no complaints over their loss as they were outplayed on the day.
It means the last knockout trophy of any repute they have won is the 2022 Nedbank Cup almost four years ago, not including the gimmicky African Football League in 2023.
They have been involved in 14 knockout runs since that Nedbank Cup success and won none of them, making a final in each of the four competitions they have entered, but losing every time.
They remain in the CAF Champions League this season, their last hope for knockout silverware as they seek to win the Betway Premiership for a ninth season in a row.
Here is a quick recap of the major cup competitions since the start of the 2022/23 season and how they fared.
MTN8
2022/23: Semi-finals – Lost 3-0 on aggregate to Orlando Pirates in their two-legged semi.
2023/24: Final – Reached the decider but lost on penalties to Pirates after a 0-0 draw.
2024/25: Semi-finals – Lost 2-0 on aggregate to Stellenbosch FC in the last-4.
2025/26: Semi-finals – Lost on penalties to Pirates after their tie finished 2-2 on aggregate.
CARLING KNOCKOUT
2023/24: First round – Stunned on penalties by TS Galaxy after their tie finished 2-2.
2024/25: Final – Reached the decider but lost 2-1 to minnows Magesi FC in one of the great cup final upsets in South African football history.
2025/26: First round – Another shock as they were beaten at the first hurdle on penalties by Marumo Gallants after a 0-0 draw.
NEDBANK CUP
2022/23: Quarter-finals – Lost 2-1 to Stellenbosch FC in Cape Town.
2023/24: Final – Lost 2-1 to Pirates in the final as Relebohille Mofokeng scored a late winner.
2024/25: Semi-final – Lost 2-1 to eventual winners Kaizer Chiefs in the last-4.
2025/26: Second round – Lost 2-0 to TS Galaxy to bow out in the earliest round since 2019.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
2022/23: Semi-finals – Lost on away goals to Wydad Casablanca from Morocco after a 2-2 aggregate scoreline.
2023/24: Semi-finals – Lost 2-0 on aggregate to Esperance from Tunisia.
2024/25: Final – Lost 3-2 on aggregate to Pyramids from Egypt in the decider.
FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP
2025: Group Stages - Beat South Korea's Ulsan HD 1-0, but a 4-3 defeat to Borussia Dortmund from Germany and a 0-0 draw with Fluminense from Brazil meant they exited in the pool stages.
