Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi says Thembinkosi Lorch, Sipho Mbule and Mothobi Mvala are progressing well in training.
Thembinkosi Lorch missed the start of the season due to injury, while Mbule has not been match fit either since pre-season.
Both were present at Chloorkop this morning on the training ground as they prepared for their 2nd round preliminary clash against eSwatini champions Mbabane Swallows.
“Lorch is as close as possible to the matchday squad, he played a friendly we played against Sekhukhune, he’s been training quite well, it was just unfortunate today he had a minor stiffness in his hamstring and pulled out early of training,” he said.
“Otherwise, we’re happy with the contribution he might make and we’re happy with the commitment and level of professionalism he’s shown throughout, from the beginning of the season when he was injured.
“Sipho also another player who has started full training, it will all depend on the numbers and everything else but he can be selected in the team, it’s all up to him at this stage because I think he has also been training very well.”
The Sundowns mentor stated they are slowly but surely getting to a point where there’s not many concerns of injuries, as the players work towards peak physical condition in what promises to be a gruelling season in a congested schedule.
“Most of the players that were on the injury list are back in training, although have not really been at the full-blown stage of training but at this stage we’re closer to a clean bill of health,” he explained.
“Obviously we will still have some niggles here and there, Mothobi is still a little but behind, Divine is behind, Keegan is getting closer and closer to the group and for me it’s only those – besides the small nyana knocks that we get during training that we’re managing. But we’re in a very good state as a team now.”
Sundowns face Swallows at the Lucas Masterpeices Moripe Stadium on Saturday evening (20h00), for their first leg tie.
