Cardoso gives promising Mokoena injury update
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says Teboho Mokoena’s injury is not a new one, and he expects the midfielder to be back soon.
Mokoena was notably sidelined during first team training on Wednesday morning, casting doubt over his availability for the next match.
The Brazilians meet Angola’s Wiliete in the second leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round match at Loftus Stadium on Friday night.
Cardoso has now explained that the midfielder is dealing with the same issue he picked up on international duty with Bafana Bafana last month.
“The injury for Teboho is not a new one, it’s the same,” Cardoso said. “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.
“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.”
Should Mokoena miss out, Cardoso insists Sundowns have the quality to cope. Thabo Cele, Marcelo Allende, Sphelele Mkhulise, Gomolemo Kekana, Katlego “Tsiki” Ntsabeleng and new signing Lazola Maku are all options.
Bathusi Aubaas remains out with an injury also picked up on international duty.
“If I play Thapelo, Zuko, Thabang or Khuliso, they are all very different and express differently,” he said.
“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 pointed to the number of key figures missing from the side that reached the Champions League final.
“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 (Cupido), Grant (Kekana), Ronwen (Williams), Jayden (Adams, late), 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 but he was called up now. It’s life…”
- Bafana Bafana international injury, CAF Champions League second preliminary round, Loftus Stadium match, Mamelodi Sundowns injury news, Marcelo Allende, MDNTV, mdntvlive, mdntvnews, Miguel Cardoso Sundowns, South African football news, Sphelele Mkhulise, Sundowns vs Wiliete, Teboho Mokoena injury update, Teboho Mokoena ligament injury, Thabo Cele Sundowns
