Mamelodi Sundowns dealt injury blow as Arthur Sales and Keanu Cupido face lengthy recoveries

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says Arthur Sales and Keanu Cupido are unlikely to return until around the end of November as they recover from surgery, ruling the pair out of the club’s preparations for the new season.

Both players suffered injuries last season and underwent operations during pre-season. Their rehabilitation means they will miss the start of the campaign, with Cardoso warning that neither player should be hurried back into competitive football.

The Sundowns coach said the club’s priority was to allow both players enough time to recover properly rather than create pressure around a potential return date.

Cardoso suggested that Sales and Cupido could be available towards the end of November, although he described their absences as medium-term rather than long-term situations.

“We also have Sales, unfortunately like Keanu, will be a long-term situation,” said Cardoso.

“I think that we are being very optimistic when we speak that they are going to be back in the end of August, they will be back in the end of maybe November.

“Arthur made a double surgery, shoulder and pubis and then the shoulder he had to be submitted because he had a big issue there.

“Keanu unfortunately we tried conservative treatment on him, he played the Champions League final, and he was so important but then he had to make a surgery and that surgery will take a long time to recover from.

“So, let’s not really put pressure on their recovery, it’s a thing for not long, but medium term.”

Sales required two separate surgical procedures, one involving his shoulder and another concerning his pubis. Cardoso said the shoulder problem was particularly serious and required further attention.

Cupido’s injury was initially managed through conservative treatment, allowing him to continue playing. That approach enabled him to feature in the Champions League final, where Cardoso said the defender was particularly important to the team.

However, Cupido ultimately had to undergo surgery, and the Sundowns manager expects the recovery process to be lengthy.

The injuries have prevented both players from taking part in Mamelodi Sundowns’ pre-season work as the club prepares for the new Betway Premiership campaign.

Cardoso’s comments indicate that Sundowns will have to begin the season without two players who remain part of his plans, while the medical team continues to oversee their rehabilitation.

Rather than committing to an early return, the coach said the club would take a cautious approach. The possibility of both players returning in November offers an estimated timeframe, but Cardoso’s comments make clear that their progress will determine when they are ready to resume full competitive activity.

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