Miguel Cardoso warns of injury crisis ahead of Champions League final as Sundowns face packed schedule

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has voiced fresh concerns over player welfare, linking the club’s growing injury list to what he describes as an unforgiving match schedule, while urging his squad to respond with character ahead of a decisive continental final.

Speaking candidly, Cardoso pointed to recent setbacks within his squad as evidence of the physical toll of competing on multiple fronts.

“What has happened with the injuries is exactly what I spoke about several months ago regarding the schedule that we have been put through. A team that has to play Champions League up to the end in a country where you have competitions one after the other just to please everybody,” he said.

The Sundowns coach confirmed that key players have been affected at a critical stage of the season, including Brian, Nuno, and Arthur, leaving him with limited options as the campaign reaches its climax.

“At this moment of the season, we should be in the top condition to perform, but Brian got injured and Nuno is not still recovered. Now we have lost Arthur,” he added.

Despite the setbacks, Cardoso stressed that the responsibility now lies with the remaining squad members to step up rather than dwell on absences.

“But it’s time for the other ones to show up rather than for us to complain,” he said.

Looking beyond club concerns, the Portuguese tactician also expressed worry about the broader implications for South African football, particularly with several Sundowns players expected to feature for the national team.

“Obviously, it’s not good. Let’s hope Bafana Bafana will not lose players throughout and have big losses for the World Cup because that’s what I expect in the next weeks, because it’s normal when the teams have to play every three days or seven matches in 21 days,” Cardoso warned.

He concluded with a stark assessment of the season’s physical demands.

“What we can expect before the end of the season is just injuries, nothing more.”

Sundowns, who have as many as 11 players in contention for the national squad, are preparing for a demanding CAF Champions League final against Royal Armed Forces on Friday, 15 May in Pretoria, before the return leg in Rabat on 24 May.