Injury backlog hampers Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns will be hoping to clear a backlog of injuries ahead of Wednesday’s Betway Premiership clash at home to TS Galaxy, which coach Miguel Cardoso said had retarded their chances against Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

Cardoso said his options for the top-of-the-table clash against Pirates at Loftus Versfeld, which ended in a 1-1 draw, had been restricted by a litany of injuries, especially among his attackers.

Iqraam Rayners was returning from injury and so was only used as a substitute for the last 12 minutes on Saturday.

“Unfortunately, he just trained two days, so he could not play for more than 20 minutes at a sustainable level for the demands of the game,” explained Cardoso.

“Lebo Mothiba, unfortunately, got injured this week. Themba Zwane is injured. (Thapelo) Morena could not play because he's injured.

“(Miguel) Reisinho was suspended, with the red card (against Marumo Gallants). Kutlwano (Letlhaku) has also an injury on the foot.

“So we didn't have a lot of power in terms of attack. So there's a moment (against Pirates) that we felt, okay, now we can go more, but then there weren’t any players to put into the attack,” added Cardoso.

For the midweek clash with Galaxy, Sundowns will have Teboho Mokoena back from suspension. An accumulation of yellow cards meant he missed the Pirates clash with a one-game ban.