Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has received an injury boost, with a key trio closer to returning to action. Given the increasingly packed schedule, the newly appointed coach has expressed his views on whether the extensive injury list is a worry.
Bafana Ba Style have been without key players in the last two matches that Cardoso has overseen since taking over the coaching role from Manqoba Mngqithi over a week ago.
However, the former ES Tunis mentor has succeeded in winning those encounters without some of his influential players against Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League and Stellenbosch FC in the Betway Premiership match.
The Chloorkop-based team currently has seven players dealing with various injury issues: Themba Zwane, Siyabonga Mabena, Rivaldo Coetzee, Mothobi Mvala, Grant Kekana, Tashreeq Matthews, and Mosa Lebusa.
WHICH TRIO IS CLOSER TO RETURN FROM INJURY AT MAMELODI SUNDOWNS?
The Portuguese coach says Sundowns’ injuries are not a major concern, as they have a large pool of players.
“Let’s understand that most of these injuries were traumatic injuries. So, the worry is that they are not there; it’s not a matter of affecting our preparation for sure because most of them are from traumatic setbacks. For example, the preparations for the match in Casablanca,” said Cardoso after their league clash with Stellies.
“There are long-term injuries that we have to wait for, such as players like Themba Zwane and Rivaldo Coetzee. But they will come at the right time, and for those, we need to provide for resting.
“However, there are a few players who are coming back quickly. Tashreeq Matthews is coming back quite quickly. Grant Kekana is also coming back, and we expect Mosa Lebusa to come back quickly.”
Cardoso added: “Today, Marcelo Allende was a small pressure; he suffered a punch. You can’t control that. We will conduct an assessment of him and see how he can recover quickly and be present.
“But obviously, there’s no major concern. The only concern is that we don’t have the players, but we have a big group. We are working with that so we can be a very strong team.”
Sundowns are currently top of the Betway Premiership log standings with 24 points, three points ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates.
RELATED STORY: Cardoso – Why Sundowns made six changes for Stellenbosch clash
