Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: ‘We are hurting!’ Basadien on difficult situation at Downs & more

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Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: ‘We are hurting!’ Basadien on difficult situation at Downs & more

The latest Mamelodi Sundowns news in the last 24 hours, including Fawaaz Basadien opening up on the challenges at the club, Steve Komphela concedes they are still hurting after loss, and more.

Sundowns news as they break

‘You didn’t come here for no reason’

Mamelodi Sundowns left-back Fawaaz Basadien has stressed that he understood what joining the club at the beginning of last season meant.

Basadien made the switch from Stellenbosch to Chloorkop where he was greeted by not just a change in scenery but difficult competition which left him with limited minutes in his first season.

He credits his family for getting through that phase which needed him to be resolute. The 29-year-old has already played more games this season than he did through the 2025/26 campaign.

From 11 appearances and 430 minutes in his first season, he has now played in 13 with almost double the game time.

‘Obviously like everyone says and like the chairman also told us, you don’t come here for no reason,’’ says Basadien about the competition at Sundowns.

”You come here because you have quality and for me it is to believe that I can make a difference and help the team achieve things. ‘So, for me it is to believe the aspect of that I can help the team in various ways, not only on the field but off the field as well and add more value to the club.

”When I came to the club, I knew that I’m coming to a team where it is not always going to be like how it was at Stellenbosch, my previous club. ‘I knew that I’m going to have to adapt, I’m going to have to fight, I’m going to have to be resilient because you are not always going to get that privilege you had at your previous club.

Fawaaz Basadien and Themba Zwane in training at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Fawaaz Basadien and Themba Zwane in training at Mamelodi Sundowns.

“‘So, it is important for you to fight for that priviledge and once you do get the opportunity it is important for you to take it and show that you can add value. ‘I have good relationships with the players in my position on and off the field and it is encouraging to help and learn from each other.

”I mean, they have strengths that I don’t have so I pick up from them and learn from them.

”I train with them every day, so we help each other and in fighting for positions if the one plays, we back each other and that is the type of team spirit we have here,” says Basadien.

Sundowns are ‘hurting’

Mamelodi Sundowns senior coach Steve Komphela is confident that his team will bounce back after falling to a disappointing defeat in the CAF Super Cup on Sunday.

The Tshwane giants suffered a 3-1 loss to USM Alger of Algeria during the CAF Super Cup played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

This marked the second occasion in a short space of time that they suffered heartbreak in continental competition after being booted out of the CAF Champions League by Angola’s Wiliete SC, also at home, during the second qualifying round last month.

Komphela admits they are hurting after Sunday’s result, with consolation coming in the form of a message from one of the opposition players

“It’s funny because as soon as the match came to an end, one of the players from USMA came through and said something very strange. He said, ‘You guys, you are a big team and you will recover’,” said the veteran tactician.

“This was profound. And to me, that was proper. Sometimes in life we need reminders of who we are, and this is the one.

Steve Komphela, senior coach at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Steve Komphela, senior coach at Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo by Mamelodi Sundowns

“Obviously, at Sundowns, our wish is to win every trophy. We wanted to win it, [but] unfortunately it didn’t fall our way. And you don’t want to be throwing forward and then get paralyzed by the fact we start look at things that are coming.

“But where we are, we are hurting, and for our supporters as well,” added Komphela.

Sundowns will now enjoy a break from their hectic schedule and resume action on the weekend of 21-22 November when they tackle Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Knockout semi-finals at home.

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Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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