Cardoso backs VAR call after Sundowns reach MTN8 final

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says he and South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, agree that video assistant referees (VAR) should be introduced into South African football.

Cardoso made the comments after Sundowns secured their place in the MTN8 final by overcoming Golden Arrows in a two-legged semi-final.

The Portuguese coach was particularly frustrated by an incident in Sunday’s second leg, when Sundowns defender Khulumani Ndamane appeared to score a valid goal. The effort was ruled out by the referee for an alleged handball.

Cardoso said officials, like players and coaches, can make mistakes, and argued that VAR would help correct controversial decisions while also offering greater protection to referees.

“I think that mistakes can happen for everybody, obviously what should happen, and I think that Minister McKenzie finally agrees with me that surely VAR should correct the mistakes,” said Cardoso.

He added that technology would not only benefit his own side, pointing out that Sundowns had also been involved in incidents earlier in the season where VAR might have worked against them.

“We should protect the referees by [introducing] VAR, it’s simple as that. And look, there were moments already this season that probably VAR had penalised myself and my team.

“There was, for example, I remember one, it was an unfortunate action, but it was an action of a tackle from one player of mine that should have been given a red card. But there were many of the other opponents that should have been red cards.

“I just want you to remember, a match against Polokwane City, the first fixture of this competition. So, let’s not judge the people that have a whistle in their hands, because sometimes we also need to protect them.

“Let’s just create conditions so that we all can work as best as possible in the best interest of the game, of the football and of South Africa. That’s the only thing I have to say.”

Cardoso’s comments came after a semi-final in which the disputed decision involving Ndamane became a central talking point. He urged supporters and other stakeholders not to focus solely on errors made by match officials, saying the wider priority should be creating conditions that allow everyone to work in the best interests of football in South Africa.

The Sundowns manager also referred to a match against Polokwane City in the opening fixture of the competition as an example of how decisions can affect both sides during a season.

Sundowns, known as Masandawana, will now contest the MTN8 final after completing their victory over Golden Arrows across the two semi-final legs.

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