Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Why star struggled at Downs, ex-Chiefs target lauded, transfer updates & more

Latest on Mamelodi Sundowns news, in the last 24 hours including why Miguel Reisinho struggled to settle in Mzansi, ex-Kaizer Chiefs lauded after a bright start in the team and more.

Why Reisinho struggled in Mzansi

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has detailed why midfielder Miguel Reisinho struggled to adjust to life at Chloorkop during his time at the club.

The 27-year-old star spent a season at the Brazilians following a free transfer in September 2025 after leaving then-Portuguese Primeira Liga side Boavista FC. But he managed just six Premier Soccer League appearances for Sundowns, plus three in cup games, and featured five times in the CAF Champions League.

Signing for Sundowns was the first time the former Portugal Under-18, 19 and 20 international played outside his home country. In explaining Reisinho’s situation, Cardoso dives into the cultural element at play. 

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has detailed why midfielder Miguel Reisinho struggled to adjust to life at Chloorkop during his time at the club.#FARPosthttps://t.co/scIvvlSh4G

— FARPost (@FARPostZA) September 2, 2026

“Regarding players, you need to be open-hearted to a country that is completely different from yours. You need to embrace and enjoy,” Cardoso told journalists.

“I have a lot of experience of being abroad; I have been in Ukraine, France, Spain, Greece, Tunisia and here [in SA]. I love the difference because I think the difference makes me a better human being. But I need to embrace it. I need to accept the difference and feel happy that I’m amongst you, that you are different from me, that you drink and eat different food, and you listen to different music. I love that.”

The former Esperance coach also stated that Reisinho fitted the profile of a player Sundowns were in the market for. But he mentions adaptation and mentality as major drawbacks for the midfielder. 

“There is also a lot of profile: how he is in the locker room, how he relates with the people. Can he accept? But you never control that limit because it is not the same as going to England, Germany, or Portugal,” Cardoso went on.

“There are differences, but the level of differences is not so impactful. When you come to South Africa, it’s quite different. In Portugal, you never play football on a dry pitch; the game is much quicker.

“But the rhythm here is sometimes very high because the game is here and there. The tempo of the game in Portugal is very different. 

“Sometimes the profile of a player is obviously suitable or not, but what speaks for a player is what he has here [in the mind]. I’m not saying that Miguel was weak because he was not weak. But the level of capacity and adaptation was not enough for him to really make it. You need to understand that resilience and negativity are very important. How am I going to handle one month without playing?”

Ex-Chiefs target lauded

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has praised Fawaaz Basadien for his impressive start to the new season after the left-back was linked with a possible exit last campaign.

Masandawana beat Kaizer Chiefs to the services of Basadien from Stellenbosch last season but initially struggled for regular game time as he adapted to his new surroundings. 

He made 11 appearances across all competitions, starting just five matches. His limited involvement reportedly led to speculation that Sundowns were considering sending him out on loan during the mid-season window. However, he remained with the club.

#ICYMI: Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has praised Fawaaz Basadien for his impressive start to the new season after the left-back was linked with a possible exit last campaign. https://t.co/EYoJ50TxPo pic.twitter.com/Ic5G4BFW5m

— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) September 2, 2026

The 28-year-old has responded strongly this season, starting all five matches he has featured in and establishing himself as a key option at left-back.

Cardoso has commended Basadien’s commitment, particularly his determination to improve and ensure he stays ahead of the competition for his position.

“You saw Fawaaz playing today, the level that he showed but last year he almost didn’t play,” said Cardoso.

“Maybe even he was with a step out of the club. I’m saying maybe, not that it was correct, maybe people thought that he would go away.

“But how he showed commitment to start the season and excel himself and try to be better than the others and at the same time being friends is amazing.

“I love to see, for example, Brayan [Leon] and Iqraam [Rayners] and Lebo [Mothiba] fighting together because they support each other as much as they are competitors.”