Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has addressed whether the club will dive into the transfer market for a new right-back following Khuliso Mudau’s devastating Achilles tendon injury.
The Bafana Bafana star has been ruled out for the remainder of 2026 due to an Achilles injury, forcing the Chloorkop outfit to weigh up their options before the transfer window shuts.
Mudau tore his Achilles during Masandawana’s 2-0 Betway Premiership victory over Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday. He was forced off in the 38th minute, with initial estimates slating his return for February or March 2027.
The setback disrupts an incredible run of consistency for the former Black Leopards star. Mudau had been ever-present in Cardoso’s starting line-up, featuring in all four matches across all competitions this season—including three league fixtures and the MTN8 quarter-final.
With Mudau sidelined, the Brazilians will lean on Thapelo Morena and Zuko Mdunyelwa to cover the right-back position as they navigate their domestic and continental campaigns.
NO PANIC BUYING FOR SUNDOWNS DESPITE MUDAU SETBACK, CONFIRMS CARDOSO
Cardoso has hinted that the Chloorkop side may refrain from panic buying before the transfer window closes. While acknowledging the major void left by the Bafana Bafana star, Cardoso stressed that internal solutions—specifically utilising Thapelo Morena and Zuko Mdunyelwa—will be assessed before any emergency moves are made in the market.
“It’s obviously a natural question [about replacing Mudau] that I will answer in a way that I think is proper. First of all, the moves inside the club should be kept as private as possible,” Cardoso said.
“I think I already spoke too much about that, already spoke to the club about that. What is important is that every time we make a first set of moves, as we did in the previous years, let’s evaluate. Play seven to eight matches and from there see how the youngsters have shown themselves and what signs of progression we have.
“And eventually make the right thoughts and considerations if we need some complementary moves to reinforce the team. And I think I said already that we have two players in that position [right-back], Morena and Zuko.
“Obviously, Thapelo is a player that even last season you saw how important he was in the CAF Champions League, how we missed him and his experience [when he got injured] because we also use him high up the pitch and Mudau inverts to the centre of the pitch.
“We will have to think of how we can still have the availability [of depth] with the players we have and what we can do with what we have.”
RELATED STORY: Miguel Cardoso gives concerning injury update on Khuliso Mudau
