Mamelodi Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau suffers ‘very, very severe injury’

Mamelodi Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso has described Khuliso Mudau’s injury as “very, very severe” after the right-back was carried off during Wednesday’s 2-0 Betway Premiership victory over Marumo Gallants.

Mudau was injured in the 37th minute at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria after coming off second-best in a collision. He was taken from the field on a stretcher and replaced by Zuko Mdunyelwa.

Cardoso said the injury represented a major blow both to Sundowns and to South Africa, with Mudau having played a prominent role for Bafana Bafana at the recent FIFA World Cup in the United States and Mexico.

“Unfortunately, it’s a very, very severe injury, yeah,” Cardoso said after the match.

“Obviously for a player with his calibre, with his quality, [it’s] a big loss for South Africa, and for us especially.”

The full extent of Mudau’s injury has not been disclosed, but his absence is expected to disrupt South Africa’s plans significantly as they prepare to begin their AFCON qualifying campaign.

Bafana Bafana are due to open their qualifying schedule at home against Guinea on 1 September before travelling to face Eritrea away on 2 September. Mudau is also likely to be a doubt for the November fixtures against Benni McCarthy’s Kenya.

His injury adds to Sundowns’ early-season concerns, with influential midfielder Teboho Mokoena already sidelined. Cardoso admitted he was frustrated by the latest setback but said his team would have to respond collectively.

“I’m feeling really frustrated. No, he got injured outside of the pitch on that action. There was no contact. I thought it was the one in the middle, but no.

“He was here. We reviewed the action. It was not… This one was not from a tackle.

“There are accidents in F1, there are injuries in football. Yeah, it’s a big loss, but let’s hope the other ones rise for the challenge ahead.”

Mudau’s injury occurred during an incident that did not involve a tackle, according to Cardoso. The Sundowns manager said his staff had reviewed the footage and concluded that there was no contact in the action that forced the defender from the match.

Despite losing Mudau during the first half, Sundowns secured a 2-0 win against Marumo Gallants. The result was overshadowed by concern for the defender, who was stretchered away from the pitch at Loftus Versfeld.

Mudau had been one of Bafana Bafana’s standout performers at the FIFA World Cup and is now facing a race to recover in time for South Africa’s upcoming international commitments. His unavailability would leave both Sundowns and the national team without one of their key right-backs.