Mamelodi Sundowns’ Cardoso provides injury update ahead of Nedbank Cup clash against Mpheni Home Defenders - ‘Most are finishing their recovery and will help us'

Mamelodi Sundowns will face Safa outfit Mpheni Home Defenders in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup. Sundowns are aiming to rebound from their recent league defeat to TS Galaxy.

Their loss to The Rockets was only their second in the league, but they will be eager to respond against the amateur side.

In the previous round, they faced a tough challenge from Sibanye Gold Stars, who scored twice against them.

However, with the quality and depth in Miguel Cardoso’s squad, Masandawana are expected to get the job done.

The Portuguese coach addressed the media ahead of the clash, providing an injury update on key players.

He also spoke about how teams tend to raise their game when facing Brazilians.

“I can tell you. If we start from the back, we have Mothobi Mvala, we have Rivaldo Coetzee, we have Divine Lunga, we have [Khuliso] Mudau, Zuko [Mdunyelwa],” Cardoso said as reported by iDiski Times.

“Then we have also [Arthur] Sales, who is coming back. We have Keanu [Cupido], who arrived injured – he’s also finishing his recovery process, [Siyabonga] Mabena, Themba [Zwane].

“But most of them are finishing their recovery processes and I think they will help us. Let’s hope in the end of the season we can even become more and more stronger because we have big, big challenges ahead,” he continued.

“As is clear for me now, PSL matches are played on the limit – there is no easy matches.”

“We play next PSL match against a team that is second from bottom of the table and we analysed them and say how it’s possible [to beat them], because they’re strong. An interesting team, they play very good football,” Cardoso explained.

“We went to play Magesi and we struggled to win the match in the end of it. So we know how is the level of the competition.

“We also know that playing against Sundowns gives extra energy to everybody. Everybody wants to perform because the lights are on these matches. It makes our work harder, so we need everybody,” he concluded.

Sundowns boast one of the most talented squads in South African football and should have no trouble fielding a strong lineup.

This fixture also presents an opportunity for fringe players to gain valuable minutes due to the intense competition for places.

Having already been knocked out of one cup competition this season, Sundowns will be determined to go all the way in the Nedbank Cup.

Cardoso will have to carefully manage his squad amid a growing injury list.

Despite their injury concerns, they remain favourites to progress to the next round.

The match serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of cup football, where underdogs always pose a threat.

Sundowns will face a determined Mpheni Home Defenders side that has already eliminated a Motsepe Foundation Championship team in the previous round.

The Limpopo-based club is currently fifth in Stream A of the ABC Motsepe League. The Brazilians will be aiming for a dominant performance to book their place in the quarterfinals.