Mamelodi Sundowns will continue battling on multiple fronts when the domestic season resumes next week.
Miguel Cardoso’s team have the MTN8 final, the CAF Champions League, and the PSL restart to contend with.
October may stretch Sundowns even thinner, with injuries already casting a shadow over their campaigns.
National commitments are costing Sundowns
The final Bafana Bafana game of the international window is the friendly against Egypt in Cairo on 4 October.
Coach Pitso Mosimane is expected to rotate his squad to give fringe players game time and to account for injuries.
Several Sundowns names are out injured, including Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, and Bathusi Aubaas.
All three have been ruled out of the Egypt game after the 2027 AFCON qualifier win against Eritrea on 30 September.
While Modiba may be fit by next week, there is uncertainty over Mokoena and Aubaas returning to action.
The club is already dealing with the effects of long-term injuries to Khuliso Mudau, Keanu Cupido, and others.
Mamelodi Sundowns fixtures include a final and continental action
Sundowns’ first fixture after the international window closes is the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates on October 10.
The game will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and kicks off at 18:00 next Saturday.
Masandawana resume their PSL campaign against Richards Bay on 13 October, according to the league’s official website.
This game kicks off at 19:30 at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu.
Sundowns return to CAF Champions League action on 17 and 24 October against Angola’s Wiliete SC.
The first leg takes place at the Ombaka National Stadium in Benguela, kicking off at 17:00.
Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria hosts the second leg, which begins at the same time (17:00), a week later.
Between these fixtures, the Carling Knockout Cup also begins on 24 October, according to the PSL website.
This means Sundowns play 5 matches over around two weeks, putting their players and coach under intense pressure.
Coach Miguel Cardoso reacts to packed calendar
Coach Miguel Cardoso acknowledged that domestic and continental pursuits were putting his team at a disadvantage.
As cited by Goal, he described the congested calendar as the team’s fate and a situation they had to manage.
“We are proud and happy to have those fixtures. It means we are fighting for a lot of tournaments and a lot of big things.”
While Cardoso has accepted the pressure, he also previously appealed to the soccer authorities for collaboration.
According to KickOff, the coach also pointed out that November’s schedule would not be kind to the team either.
“My only appeal is obviously that we come together – club, SAFA, PSL, and the responsible people – and understand where we’re competing, the way we’re putting the name of the country and the continent at the highest level.”
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