Sundowns provide injury update on new signing Siyanda Ndlovu

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says new signing Siyanda Ndlovu has completed his recovery from a muscle injury and is close to being ready for first-team action.

Ndlovu was included in Sundowns’ matchday squad for their opening game of the season at the weekend, despite missing almost the entirety of the club’s pre-season preparations.

The forward was regarded as one of the most exciting arrivals of the transfer window, but his progress was interrupted soon after he joined the South African champions. Cardoso is encouraged by what he has seen since the player returned to training and believes Ndlovu could soon be available to test opposition defences.

“Siyanda got a muscle injury at the beginning of the preparations, so basically he didn’t train the whole pre-season. He just started with the team two days ago,” Cardoso said on Saturday.

The coach added that the new arrival had shown promise before being sidelined for three weeks, and explained why he was not involved in a friendly match played on Saturday morning.

“He is unfortunately in the early stages of adapation of being with us. He gave us very good signs in the beginning, but then he got that small injury that took him three weeks until now. He made full recovery, so he is training already. We had a friendly match (on Saturday morning). We didn’t expose him to that game because the last three days he trained normal and high levels of commitment and we didn’t want to force him again, so we have him some rest. Beautiful signs from him, very excited to see what he can give to the team.” He will be back soon.”

Ndlovu’s move to Sundowns followed reported interest from Orlando Pirates. The Buccaneers were said to be leading the race to sign him from Golden Arrows, but that deal fell through and Ndlovu instead agreed a long-term contract with Sundowns.

His absence during pre-season meant he had limited time to adapt to Cardoso’s methods and his new team-mates. However, the coach’s comments indicate that the injury has healed and that Ndlovu has already returned to full training.

Sundowns began their campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Polokwane City in the MTN8. Their next fixture is against TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday.

Ndlovu’s inclusion in the squad for the opening match suggests he is being integrated carefully, with Sundowns choosing not to rush him back after his lengthy spell on the sidelines. Cardoso’s assessment also offers encouragement that the club’s supporters may not have to wait much longer to see the forward make his contribution.