Sundowns Seek to End Domestic Cup Drought in MTN8 Semi-Final

Mamelodi Sundowns will face Golden Arrows in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final on Sunday, aiming to break a domestic cup drought that has lasted since the 2022 Nedbank Cup. The club has reached six straight MTN8 semi-finals but has struggled in knockout competitions, with four previous exits and a last victory in 2021.

Sundowns Eye Cup Glory

Mamelodi Sundowns will face Golden Arrows in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final on Sunday, a match that could end a domestic cup drought that began after the 2022 Nedbank Cup win under co-coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena.

Past Knockout Struggles

Sundowns have reached six consecutive MTN8 semi-finals but have not lifted a domestic cup since 2022. The club’s last MTN8 triumph came in 2021, their second top-8 title of the PSL era. The club’s most recent League Cup (Carling KnockOut) title was in 2019.

Cardoso has fired blanks in four knockout attempts. He was eliminated in a controversial 2024/25 Nedbank Cup semi-final by Kaizer Chiefs and then knocked out by TS Galaxy in the last-16 of last season’s competition. In last season’s MTN8, Pirates ended Sundowns’ run on penalties, while Marumo Gallants won a Carling KnockOut first-round tie on penalties.

Cardoso Sets the Tone

Cardoso said Golden Arrows “has quality, so you have to try to do your best to have control on the context of the game.” He added that a “positive result” is essential, aiming for a win without conceding goals to secure a comfortable second-leg advantage.

The match will decide whether Sundowns can finally add another domestic trophy to their continental success.