Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: How Adams is inspiring Brazilians, Cardoso’s VAR plea & more

Latest on Mamelodi Sundowns, as Fawaaz Basadien vows to win the MTN8 in memory of the late Jayden Adams and Miguel Cardoso reignites the VAR debate after a controversial disallowed goal.

Basadien: ‘We want to do it for Jayden’

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Fawaaz Basadien has confirmed the squad’s determination to lift the MTN8 trophy in honour of the late Jayden Adams, after the Brazilians advanced to the final following a dramatic 3-2 second-leg victory over Golden Arrows at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.

Sundowns overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit thanks to goals from Cassius Mailula, Marcelo Allende and Antonio van Wyk, progressing 3-3 on aggregate via the away-goals rule to set up a blockbuster final against Orlando Pirates on 10 October.

The emotional weight of Adams’ passing has hung over Sundowns’ entire campaign. The Bafana Bafana midfielder was found dead in Cape Town in July, just days after returning from the FIFA World Cup, and the club retired his No. 8 shirt in his memory before the season began.

“It will be massive for us. I mean, this is one of the trophies we wanted, and I think it will also be good to honour our brother Jayden Adams. I mean, he, as much as us, wanted to win this trophy, and I think it’ll be important for us to go all the way in the final and get a trophy for him,” he said as per Hollywoodbets.

Sundowns coach demands VAR after big mistake

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has renewed his call for Video Assistant Referee technology to be introduced in South African football, after Khulumani Ndamane was denied what television replays showed was a legitimate goal in Sunday’s MTN8 semi-final second leg against Golden Arrows.

Ndamane, making his first start of the season, appeared to give Sundowns a 2-1 aggregate lead in the 51st minute when he guided the ball home from close range off a cross from Basadien. However, referee Luxolo Badi disallowed the effort for a handball and booked Ndamane for protesting — despite replays clearly indicating the ball had struck his chest, not his arm.

Speaking after the match, as reported by Sportswire, Cardoso argued that the incident highlighted exactly why VAR is essential, while also urging that referees should not be singled out for blame.

Khulumani Ndamani's goal has been chalked off ❌

The linesman flagged it as a handball.

📺 Stream #MTN8 live: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/VWT9OPpV1M

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 30, 2026

“I think mistakes can happen to everybody. What should happen is — as Minister McKenzie finally admitted — surely VAR should correct those mistakes,” Cardoso said.

“Let’s not judge the people holding the whistle. Let’s just create conditions where we can all work as best as possible, in the best interest of the game, football, and South Africa,” he said.