Cardoso says Mamelodi Sundowns have transfer plan after Mdunyelwa injury

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says the club has discussed its transfer options after right-back Zuko Mdunyelwa became the latest player to suffer an injury.

Mdunyelwa was taken off on a stretcher 10 minutes into the second half of Sundowns’ 2-0 victory over newly promoted Milford FC at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night.

The injury adds to Sundowns’ concerns at full-back, with Bafana Bafana defender Khuliso Mudau already ruled out for the rest of the season. It remains unclear whether the club will enter the transfer market to strengthen that position before the window closes.

Asked about Mdunyelwa’s condition after the match, Cardoso told SuperSport: “No, I don’t know but it looks like something muscular.

“Anyway the club knows very well, we discussed inside what we need to do before we close the market and that’s it, that’s it.”

Cardoso did not provide a detailed assessment of the injury, but his comments indicate that Sundowns have already considered their response to the growing number of fitness problems in the squad.

The club secured maximum points against Milford, but Cardoso also used his post-match comments to praise the visitors and their progress in South African football.

He said Milford’s quality should not have come as a surprise to anyone who had been following the team’s performances, particularly during their promotion campaign and Nedbank Cup run last season.

“As we expected, only for people who maybe not paying attention on South African football, is surprised about the quality of this team that we played against Milford today. Last year, they not only made promotion to the PSL but also who they beat on their way to the final (semi-finals) of the Nedbank Cup,” he said.

Milford defeated Sekhukhune and Orlando Pirates on their way to the semi-finals, achievements Cardoso highlighted while reflecting on the challenge Sundowns faced.

“They beat Sekhukhune, Orlando Pirates, this a team that plays very good football and we should be happy because South Africa understood that it’s possible to play beautiful football and I’m very happy that we won the game.

The result kept Sundowns level with Orlando Pirates, while Milford were unable to add to the progress that took them into the top flight and deep into last season’s Nedbank Cup.

For Cardoso, the victory was therefore significant on two fronts: Sundowns collected all three points, while the performance of their opponents underlined the increasingly competitive nature of South African football.

Attention will now turn to the extent of Mdunyelwa’s injury and whether Sundowns decide to act in the transfer market before the deadline. The club has already held internal discussions on what is needed, but no decision has been announced.