Mamelodi Sundowns have issued an injury update on the availability of Keanu Cupido and Thapelo Morena for the much-anticipated two-legged CAF Champions League final against Moroccan side AS FAR.
The two defenders missed the previous Sundowns encounter against Siwelele FC in the Betway Premiership at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium this past weekend.
Despite the duo’s absence, Masandawana claimed a 7-4 victory over Siwelele, maintaining their spot at the summit of the league table with 68 points in 29 games, while Orlando Pirates are in second place with 65 points and one game in hand.
In the match against the Bloemfontein-based side, Downs missed the services of key players Cupido and Morena, who sustained injuries in a 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs in the league last Wednesday.
After the casualties against Chiefs, there are fears that Morena and Cupido may not recover on time as Sundowns chase the elusive Champions League title since last winning it in 2016.
Cupido has been a regular starter for Sundowns in the current campaign under Miguel Cardoso, while Morena has been in and out of the team due to injuries.
The talented centre-back, Cupido, has featured in 30 appearances across all competitions, while the Bafana Bafana right-back, Morena, played 27 matches, scoring one goal and providing three assists.
WHAT SUNDOWNS SAID ABOUT MORENA AND CUPIDO’S INJURIES
With the Chloorkop-based outfit facing Moroccan giants AS FAR over two legs in the next two weeks, Sundowns team doctor, Dr Carl Tabane, revealed that they are working around the clock to have injured players available for the high-stakes final.
“Arthur Sales is back [from an injury], remember it was a forced substitute with a shoulder injury when we played Richards Bay FC, I’m glad to say he’s back with us,” Tabane told the Sundowns media team.
“We also have Miguel Reisinho back at full training. Unfortunately, everybody saw Keanu; we had to stretch him off with a bad shoulder injury as well. So we’re still doing investigations, he’s back on the sidelines, and we have Thapelo Morena; everybody saw how he twisted his knee. We also have Bathusi Aubaas, who’s doing well in rehab.
Addressing the possibility of having Morena and Cupido back to fitness for the final, Tabane said: “We’re working very hard, we obviously have limited time, we have two weeks, but we’re doing everything in our best to have them ready.”
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