Miguel Cardoso Shares Latest Injury Update on 3 Mamelodi Sundowns Stars Before MTN8 Final vs Pirates
- Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso addressed the fitness of three key players who picked up injuries during the 2027 AFCON qualifiers
- The trio — Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas and Aubrey Modiba — are all in doubt ahead of Saturday's MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates
- The Portuguese tactician warned that no risks would be taken with any player, citing a packed fixture list beyond the weekend's cup clash
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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has given a cautious update on the fitness of three injured players as the club prepares for Saturday's MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, and Aubrey Modiba all sustained injuries while on international duty during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, creating uncertainty over their availability for one of South African football's most anticipated cup finals of the season.
Cardoso holds off on fitness verdict
Addressing the media ahead of the fixture, Cardoso made clear that the club was still assessing the extent of the trio's conditions after they returned from camp.
"What is important to know is, and I said it from the first day, and I will say it again, the players, when they go for the national team, they are national team players," Cardoso said. "So, we are completely aligned with that, and happy that the boys were there and performed well."
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He added that the medical team had only made initial contact with the players following their return. "Obviously, yesterday they arrived early in the morning, and we assessed them during the day. It's the first contact with the players that the doctors had. Obviously, I had the report yesterday. Let's wait today see how they react to our first intent of evaluation but mostly put some work with them and from there, we will move."
Club will not gamble with player fitness
Cardoso was equally measured when asked whether the three would feature against Abdeslam Ouaddou's Orlando Pirates side, pointing to a demanding schedule that extends well beyond Saturday's final.
"What is 100% sure is that we cannot risk anything on players, considering that this match on the weekend is very important. But on Tuesday there's another one, there's a qualifying round for the Champions League, there are championship matches in meanwhile, and then we also have the Super Cup," he said.
"So, losing one player for five matches in a club like ours is dramatic. So, we will have to see if they are fully recovered or just on those conditions, they will be able to play," Cardoso concluded.
Orlando Pirates have won the last four MTN8 editions and will be seeking to extend that dominant run at Moses Mabhida Stadium, while Sundowns will be hoping to have their key men available as they bid to end the Soweto club's stranglehold on the trophy.
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Source: Briefly News
