Miguel Cardoso gives injury update ahead of Stellenbosch clash | OneFootball

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Cardoso provides injury update ahead of Stellenbosch tie

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/ BackPagePix

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has provided an injury update on several key players ahead of their Betway Premiership clash against Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium on Saturday afternoon (15h00).

The defending champions are on the back of a goalless stalemate against in-form Kaizer Chiefs, taking their tally to two draws in four league outings this season. Masandawana are currently in third place with eight points accumulated.

Now, they face a daunting task of claiming maximum points at the expense of a formidable Stellies, keen to build their own momentum after a slow start to the season. With the match on the horizon, Cardoso gave the injury statutes of some key players.

“During the week there was a lot of issues regarding the coach not putting this player or that player to play – and it’s Mothobi [Mvala], it’s [Thapelo] Maseko, it’s that and that. But people don’t know anything, and they should trust that people inside a club like Mamelodi Sundowns work very hard with big respect for every player, understanding which player can and should play,” he said.

“No one knows Mothobi Mvala had a setback on his knee, no one, but they are judging me because the coach doesn’t put Mothobi Mvala to play. But not forgetting that there are five or more six players in that [injury] position.

“[Grant] Kekana you saw how he played the last match that he suffered, he struggled inside the pitch, and he handled it, but he had a big strong knock on his knee.

While the Portuguese mentor set the record straight on the fitness of fan favorites, he revealed that the injuries sustained are not major. However, the 53-year-old tactician is awaiting results for the severity of injuries suffered by other players.

“Those things are small, thank God Mothobi is training normal, Grant will return to training sessions quickly, we are recovering Themba Zwane, [Thapelo] Maseko had an injury, he was assessed but I still don’t know the injury he has – he was injured in the match against Orlando Pirates,” added Cardoso.

“Divine Lunga finished the match with Orlando Pirates with a big contusion on the ribs as you saw. We also made an assessment on him; I don’t know exactly the results of the scan. Coaches, doctors, physios, and the performance department are not sleeping.