Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has provided an update on Teboho Mokoena’s injury, revealing that the midfielder is dealing with the same issue sustained while on international duty with Bafana Bafana.
Mokoena has been an important figure for the Brazilians, but his availability remains uncertain as Cardoso continues to assess his options ahead of their CAF Champions League commitments, as he was notably sidelined during first team training on Wednesday morning.
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The Portuguese tactician explained that the injury involves a stretch to the inside ligament following contact during international duty, although he expects the midfielder to recover quickly.
“The injury for Teboho is not a new one, it’s the same. It means that he had a situation in the national team, as we know, and he had contact in one leg. He was standing on one leg at the moment that the player came. There was no intention to hurt him, but it happened,” Cardoso explained.
“So, he had a stretch on the inside ligament. It’s good it’s not a big thing, it will be overcome very, very quickly.”
‘We have many quality players’
Should Mokoena be unavailable, Cardoso insists Sundowns have enough quality within their squad to compensate for his absence, although he acknowledged that the players competing for a place in midfield offer different qualities.
The likes of Thabo Cele, Marcelo Allende, Sphelele Mkhulise, Gomolemo Kekana, Katlego “Tsiki” Ntsabeleng and new arrival Lazola Maku could be available for selection in his absence, while Bathusi Aubaas also remains sidelined with injury suffered on international duty.
“If I play Thapelo, Zuko, Thabang or Khuliso, they are all very different and express differently,” he added.
“The question here is obviously we understand what everyone brings to the pitch, their best when they play at their best level.
“And Teboho, everyone knows his quality, but I think in the team we have many quality players to play and to make a good game, should he not be available.”
Cardoso also highlighted the number of changes Sundowns have had to navigate compared to previous campaigns, pointing out that several key figures from the side that featured in the CAF Champions League final are currently absent.
“We respect everyone in this group and the trust we have is exactly the one we need to establish and show when the players are not possible to play,” he said.
“Khuliso, Keanu, Grant, Ronwen, Jayden, Teboho, Kutlwano. It doesn’t mean the other ones are not good or capable of doing the job, they have proved they are. Others will rise. Morena was not able to play in the World Cup and then he was called up now. It’s life…”
Despite the injury concerns, Cardoso remains confident in the depth of his squad, insisting that Sundowns must continue to trust the players available as they navigate a demanding period of the season.