Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has confirmed Thapelo Morena and Malibongwe Khoza will miss the clash against Orlando Pirates, in addition to Themba Zwane.
This comes as Sundowns will be without the injured trio for their Betway Premiership match against Pirates at Loftus Stadium on Saturday, while Teboho Mokoena and Miguel Reisinho are suspended.
Zwane has been out since September, while Morena picked an injury on international duty in Bafana’s match World Cup qualifier Rwanda and Khoza got an ankle injury on CAF Champions League duty away ay Remo Stars.
“We know that when we’ll have availability of all the Sundowns players this team will be so strong but it’s not so in the moment,” said Cardoso.
“As you know we lost [Thapelo] Morena for example. Morena is a very important player for us, not only to manage [Khuliso] Mudau but also to enforce because it even takes the energy when he enters the pitch.
“He’s a very important attacking player besides being the full-back. He’s not available he got injured on national team and others.”
As far as Khoza is concerned Cardoso explained that he is expecting the youngster to recover quicker though his absence has naturally disturbed his progress.
“Regarding Mali as you saw he got injured in the last match away he didn’t break any bone but he had an issue on his ankle and he’s recovering,” added the coach.
“Of course it took a little bit of energy from his process but also you know in Mamelodi Sundowns competition for the positions in the pitch is so high that sometimes just a slight lack of or a little bit of missed opportunity in one match or a bad performance can get you out of your path.
“It’s not what happened with Mali. Mali is injured, so he will not unfortunately be able to perform or to play but we are expecting him to recover very quickly, but he will also not be available for national team in the next international break before.”
