Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has insisted he will not go into details about the absence of Khuliso Mudau, Lucas Ribeiro and Peter Shalulile.
Sundowns beat Richards Bay 4-0 to advance to the MTN8 semi-finals, with Iqraam Rayners scoring a brace, while Simphiwe Mcineka netted his an own goal before Siyabonga Mabena added the worth.
But despite the rousing win, many were left wondering about the absence of Downs’ key players, with Ribeiro and Shalulile linked with moves, while Mudau has been absent during pre-season training.
However, Cardoso insisted he will not go into detail about the missing players, only revealing that Thapelo Morena missed due to an injury.
“I will not here, as you might understand, start discussing what’s happening with Lucas or Mudau or Peter or Thapelo Morena, that also was not here today,” he said after the match.
“Thapelo, basically had a small injury, nothing big, but he had a small injury.
“But obviously, for the coach, a coach always wants to have the team as complete as possible. All coaches want to receive the reinforcements for the new season as quick as possible. So it’s not where we are.
“But it doesn’t mean that we are not able to cope with our responsibilities. Me myself. I have to work on solutions rather than on problems. Otherwise, if I hang to the problems, for sure, I will not be able to also perform myself in the proper way and give the stimulus to the boys so that we can can move forward.
“But it’s obvious that we would like to have been able to start the season from where we left, with all the players as strong as possible.
“But no one should think that Mamelodi Sundowns will ever be, not in the level that has to be. And for sure, people in charge will take the responsibility to organise the things and solve the issues in proper time.”
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.
