Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Miguel Cardoso Provides Injury Update on Zwane, Mvala, and Mothiba Ahead of CAF Champions League Clash

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has shared an update on the progress of captain Themba Zwane, Mothobi Mvala, and recent signing Lebo Mothiba as the team prepares to face Tunisian giants Esperance in the CAF Champions League.

Despite missing the presence of Bafana Bafana stars Zwane and Mvala, Sundowns have continued to excel, showcasing the squad’s depth and quality. However, having them back in action would undoubtedly be a significant boost, especially as the club navigates a demanding schedule across three competitions.

On Monday morning, during a press conference at Chloorkop, Cardoso provided clarity on their fitness status, confirming that Zwane and Mvala will be unavailable for both legs of the tie against Esperance. The duo, however, has started participating in training and will soon feature in friendly matches to aid their return to competitive action.

“Themba is almost there but not yet in condition to play in this match or the second one. The same goes for Mothobi and Mothiba. However, they are quite close. They are currently training at 100 percent with the group. Themba and Mothobi are training more regularly with the team, and now we are focusing on getting them match-ready by involving them in friendly games before they are reintroduced to official matches,” Cardoso stated ahead of the highly anticipated clash at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

The coach further detailed their recovery plan, explaining that the players will engage in a training match with some members of the club’s Diski team on Tuesday. Additionally, during their trip to Tunisia, Sundowns will organize a friendly match against a selected team to further aid their rehabilitation.

“The process of reintegrating players isn’t just about training but ensuring they can perform at the required level. We cannot rush players like Themba or Mothobi into competitive games if they are not yet physically ready to contribute effectively,” Cardoso added.

Zwane, Mvala, and Mothiba all took part in training at Chloorkop and are expected to play a role in the squad before the end of the season. Their return could be pivotal in Sundowns’ quest for success in domestic and continental competitions.