CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Smiso Msomi|Published
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena was stretchered off during Sunday's goalless CAF Champions League first-leg draw against Wiliete SC after suffering a setback to the same ligament injured on international duty.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is hopeful of having Ronwen Williams available again soon, but remains uncertain about the extent of Teboho Mokoena’s injury ahead of Friday’s CAF Champions League return leg against Wiliete SC.
Mokoena was stretchered off during Sundowns’ goalless draw against the Angolan side in the first leg of their second preliminary round tie on Sunday, raising concerns about his availability for the decisive encounter at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Cardoso revealed that the midfielder had suffered a problem involving the same ligament that was injured while he was on international duty.
“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.
The Sundowns coach is hoping the injury is not serious, although Mokoena will undergo further examinations before the club determines 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,” he added.
Mokoena’s potential absence would be a concern for the Brazilians as they prepare for a must-win second leg, with a place in the CAF Champions League group stages at stake.
Williams, meanwhile, was left out of the matchday action after experiencing discomfort following contact during a training session. However, Cardoso expects the goalkeeper to recover promptly.
“Ronwen should not be a big thing. He had a small contact yesterday in the training session, got some pain,” Cardoso explained.
The coach said the decision to keep Williams out was a precaution, with the club unwilling to risk aggravating the problem.
“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’ expected recovery will be encouraging news for Sundowns, although his availability for Friday’s match will depend on his progress.
After failing to score in Angola, Sundowns must find a way past Wiliete in Pretoria to keep their continental ambitions on track. Cardoso will be hoping both players are in a position to contribute, but Mokoena’s condition remains the bigger immediate concern as the team awaits the results of his medical assessment.