Mamelodi Sundowns face Teboho Mokoena injury concern before Wiliete clash

Mamelodi Sundowns are waiting to discover the extent of Teboho Mokoena’s injury before Friday’s CAF Champions League second-leg meeting with Wiliete SC, while coach Miguel Cardoso is hopeful goalkeeper Ronwen Williams will be fit to return.

Mokoena was taken off on a stretcher during Sunday’s goalless draw with the Angolan side in the first leg of their second preliminary round tie. His condition is now a major concern for Sundowns before the decisive match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Cardoso said the midfielder had sustained an issue involving the same ligament he injured while on international duty, although the club does not yet know how serious the problem is.

“Teboho, it’s a little bit of a touch on that ligament that was hurt on the national team. We don’t know the extent of the injury at the moment, but he could not continue in the match,” Cardoso said.

Mokoena is due to undergo further examinations, after which Sundowns will be able to assess the extent of the damage.

“So, let’s hope it’s not a big thing and we can recover him, he will be submitted to the exams,” Cardoso added.

The midfielder’s possible absence would be a significant setback for the Brazilians as they attempt to secure progress to the CAF Champions League group stages. Having failed to score in Angola, Sundowns need to beat Wiliete in Pretoria to keep their continental campaign on course.

Williams was not included in the matchday squad for the first leg after feeling pain following contact during a training session. Cardoso, however, expects the goalkeeper to recover quickly.

“Ronwen should not be a big thing. He had a small contact yesterday in the training session, got some pain,” the coach said.

Sundowns opted not to risk Williams in the match, with Cardoso explaining that the decision was intended to prevent the problem from becoming more serious.

“It was important to keep him safe from something that could come that would be, let’s say, more aggressive or that would put him in danger for the future.

“But no, not really. So we expect to recover him promptly.”

Williams’ likely recovery provides encouragement for Sundowns, although his involvement in Friday’s match will be determined by his progress over the coming days.

The club must wait for the results of Mokoena’s assessment before knowing whether he can play. Cardoso will hope both players are available for the return leg, but the midfielder’s injury is the more immediate concern as Sundowns prepare for a match in which their place in the next stage is at stake.