Cardoso reveals Sundowns’ injury gambles after Al Ahli win

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says Arthur Sales was used as a late substitute despite still recovering from injury, while Keanu Cupido’s shoulder problem is more serious than first expected.

Sundowns defeated Al Ahli Saudi 2-1 in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Nuno Santos scoring both goals on his return to the starting line-up.

Santos made his first start of the season after injury concerns and his brace secured Sundowns’ first silverware of the campaign. The victory also took The Brazilians into the third round of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, the Challenger Cup.

Cardoso said he had discussed a possible limited appearance with Arthur Sales before the match, knowing the forward was not ready to play a full half at the highest level.

“I confess to you, yesterday (on Friday) I spoke to Arthur and told him, ‘Look Arthur, if I need to put you in the game during the second-half and we go for extra-time, don’t get surprised if I take you out again,’” Cardoso told journalists at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

“Because Arthur obviously is able to play but he’s still not physically fit to handle 45 or 50 minutes at the highest level. So I had a talk with him and he said, ‘Coach, put me five minutes, take me (out) five minutes, I’ll be on your service for whatever you need’.

“And this is obviously the spirit that will lead us and take us ahead.”

Sales was introduced in the closing stages, with Cardoso prepared to remove him again if the game went to extra time.

Cupido facing longer recovery

Cardoso also provided an update on Cupido, who was forced to play in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR Rabat despite suffering a shoulder injury and fractured collarbone in a domestic fixture against Kaizer Chiefs.

The Sundowns coach said the defender’s absence would be significant and that his recovery was unlikely to be quick.

“I would like to remind you guys that Keanu is a strong absence but we expect him to recover, not that quickly, absolutely no. But later in the year, I think he’s now starting to have a small smile on his face, that situation became a little bit more serious than we expected,” he said.

Cardoso, the former Esperance coach, added that Sundowns’ medical department was working intensively to help Cupido recover.

“But the medical department is working very strong on it, they are trying to solve it so that we have an extra one and we gonna need everybody,” he said.

“As I say, when one falls down, two have to get up and that’s the way we will have to progress.”