CHLOORKOP, SOUTH AFRICA — Mamelodi Sundowns face a defining MTN8 test on Sunday as the African champions attempt to overturn a 1-0 semi-final deficit against Golden Arrows and keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.
Miguel Cardoso’s side travel to King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in Durban under pressure after Junior Dion’s first-half goal handed Golden Arrows a surprise victory in last Sunday’s opening leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Sundowns dominated periods of that encounter but failed to convert their chances, while Arrows defended their advantage to extend an impressive start to the season.
The Brazilians responded emphatically in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday, beating AmaZulu 5-2 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Brayan Leon scored twice, while Teboho Mokoena, Tashreeq Matthews and Bennet Mokoena also found the net.
Mokoena’s return provided another major boost ahead of the Golden Arrows clash. The Bafana Bafana midfielder marked his comeback with a superb free-kick after missing four matches.
Wednesday’s result restored confidence following the MTN8 setback and gave Cardoso the response he wanted before Sunday’s decisive second leg.
The Portuguese coach has already delivered major success at Chloorkop. He guided Sundowns to the Betway Premiership title before leading the club to its second CAF Champions League crown last season.
Domestic knockout success, however, remains unfinished business.
Sundowns have not won the MTN8 since the 2021/22 season, adding pressure to a competition that has repeatedly frustrated one of South Africa’s most successful clubs.
Cardoso has also found himself defending his team’s performances after criticism followed the first-leg defeat.
“People around always try to create instability. They come from outside to try and create instability, but we know this business already and we manage it with peace,” Cardoso said after the victory over AmaZulu.
“It’s important that people respect the work that is being done in this club. This club has just won the Champions League that was not won in South Africa for 10 years but there’s no respect for it because we lost one match.”
Sundowns’ continental success provides considerable weight to Cardoso’s argument. They defeated Morocco’s AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate in May to claim their second CAF Champions League title and their first since 2016.
Sunday’s challenge will nevertheless demand another strong performance against a Golden Arrows team that has proved difficult to break down.
Abafana Bes’thende have made an impressive start to the campaign and carried a perfect defensive record through the opening weeks of the season. Their disciplined performance in Pretoria showed why Sundowns cannot expect an easy route back into the tie.
Cardoso acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead of the trip to KwaZulu-Natal.
“Let’s see if we’re strong enough to go to Arrows and get the result we need. It will happen, but let’s see if we’re capable enough because it is a good test at the moment,” he said.
“How many goals have they suffered until now? It’s almost zero, they are doing well and they will test us. Let’s see how far we are at the moment but there’s a lot to do up front whatever happens at the weekend.”
Mokoena’s return could prove particularly important as Sundowns attempt to control midfield and create the chances needed to turn the semi-final around.
His absence had left Cardoso without one of his most influential midfielders during a period when Sundowns are still adjusting to the tragic loss of Jayden Adams.
Adams died unexpectedly in July at the age of 25, weeks after representing Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His death was a devastating loss for South African football and deprived Sundowns of a player who had become an important part of Cardoso’s midfield.
Mokoena’s return therefore gives the coach greater stability in an area where his options have been significantly affected.
“Regarding Teboho, when you have the best players available you become stronger, the coaches become stronger, and the team also become stronger,” Cardoso said.
“I don’t need to speak about the quality of Teboho; he is a very stable player in the squad and very important. When he’s available, we’re stronger, especially in the middle where we unfortunately lost Jayden Adams.
“When the pairing is broken, and you don’t have both players that gave stability last season, obviously any team will suffer. The best teams in the world struggle when these things happen.”
Sundowns will also have to negotiate Sunday’s encounter without Khuliso Mudau, with the experienced right-back sidelined through injury.
Cardoso will nevertheless take encouragement from the attacking display against AmaZulu. Leon’s brace and goals from three other players showed the attacking depth available as Sundowns prepare to chase the tie in Durban.
Golden Arrows approach the contest from a different position. Their first-leg advantage allows them to protect what they earned in Pretoria, although sitting too deep against a Sundowns side capable of sustained attacking pressure would carry its own risks.
Sundowns know the consequences of another MTN8 semi-final exit. Their recent dominance of South African league football and return to the summit of African club football have not translated into similar control of the season-opening knockout competition.
That makes Sunday’s encounter another important test of Cardoso’s increasingly decorated tenure.
The other MTN8 semi-final will see defending champions Orlando Pirates host Sekhukhune United at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday. Pirates are chasing a fifth consecutive MTN8 title, while Sundowns must first find a way past Golden Arrows if they are to challenge for the trophy again.
After responding to their first-leg defeat with five goals against AmaZulu, Sundowns travel to Durban with momentum restored. Golden Arrows, however, already demonstrated that reputation alone will not decide this semi-final.
Cardoso’s African champions must now turn their response in the league into the result that matters in the MTN8.
