Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has attributed the significant reduction in the number of his players selected for the South African national team at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco to the club’s recent injury crisis.
Squad Representation Shift
Sundowns’ representation has dropped notably compared to the last AFCON:
- Previous AFCON: Sundowns had eight players selected (seven starters in the opening match).
- 2025 AFCON: Only five players were called up: Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, and Bathusi Aubaas.
- Notable Omissions: Several regulars, including Themba Zwane, Grant Kekana, Malibongwe Khoza, Thapelo Morena, and Iqraam Rayners, were not included in the squad.
- Rival Lead: Rivals Orlando Pirates now have the largest contingent, with nine call-ups.
Coach Cardoso’s Explanation
Cardoso explained that a string of long-term injuries over the past few months likely affected the national coach’s selection process. He specifically mentioned influential players who missed out due to fitness issues:
“I would like that, especially the Masandawana family, could understand that, unfortunately, in the last two or three months, we had many players who had long-term injuries.”
He confirmed that Themba Zwane, Thapelo Morena, Grant Kekana, [Terrence] Basadien, and Malibongwe Khoza were among those impacted by fitness concerns.
Despite the reduced squad size, Cardoso concluded by reaffirming Mamelodi Sundowns’ full support for the national team, Bafana Bafana.
