Mamelodi Sundowns Midfield Shuffle Leaves Bathusi Aubaas Without Minutes

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has faced a selection dilemma this year due to the squad’s depth. The abundance of options has meant that Bafana Bafana international Bathusi Aubaas has yet to feature in a single match for Sundowns in 2026. Despite being part of the first team, Aubaas has missed eight consecutive games since last playing against Orlando Pirates on November 1.

Cardoso has rotated extensively in recent weeks. Sundowns used 26 players across four games in just 12 days, exhausting all five substitute options in each match. Even with this heavy rotation, Aubaas has remained on the sidelines, alongside other players yet to see minutes, including Jody February, Reyaad Pieterse, Malibongwe Khoza, Mothobi Mvala, Zuka Mdunyelwa, Gomolemo Kekana, Tsiki Ntsabeleng, Monnapule Saleng, and Siyabonga Mabena. Some of these players have been on the bench, while others, including Aubaas, have not been involved in matchday squads. Mvala has been sidelined through injury.

Aubaas’ situation is notable because he had a strong showing at the AFCON finals, playing three out of four matches, including 90 minutes against Cameroon in the Last 16. His performances at the international level have heightened expectations ahead of the World Cup. However, his path to game time at Sundowns has been blocked by midfielders Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende, Siphelele Mkhulise, and Jayden Adams.

Cardoso acknowledged the challenge of managing players in a World Cup year. Speaking ahead of Sundowns’ Nedbank Cup Last 32 clash against Gomora United, he emphasized the need to balance player rotation and readiness. “Imagine Aubaas, who until this moment from the four matches that we have played, hasn’t played a single minute. He comes from a very good AFCON and wants to go to the World Cup. I need to create for these boys the understanding that they will become important and will be ready for the World Cup because I will take care of them in the proper time,” Cardoso said.

The Portuguese coach will face further selection decisions as Sundowns prepare for the Nedbank Cup tie on Wednesday at 19:00. How he manages key players like Aubaas could influence both the club’s domestic performance and the readiness of his squad for the World Cup campaign.