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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Downs key players have been nursing injuries</li><li>Some missed the Cup game last weekend</li><li>Mokwena updates</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Mokwena sweating on Williams & Mokoena fitness ahead of Caf Champions League date with Yanga SC

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/did-bafana-afcon-success-come-at-the-expense-of-mamelodi-sundowns-players-mokwena-bemoans-injury-woes-to-key-players/blt95d0c5a7a5458275" target="_blank">Sundowns have not had all players available</a> since the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations where they helped Bafana Bafana finish third.On Sunday, Mokwena missed some key players in the Nedbank Cup's Round of 16 but still <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/nedbank-cup-top-class-thembinkosi-lorch-s-brace-sends-mamelodi-sundowns-past-maritzburg-united-into-the-quarter-finals/blta6aaa0ab80f103a4" target="_blank">managed to beat Maritzburg United 2-0 to advance</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, and Themba Zwane had injuries, joining Thapelo Maseko in the treatment room. However, Mokwena has some good news regarding Mothobi Mvama and Khuliso Mudau.Masandawana are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/caf-champions-league-mamelodi-sundowns-learn-quarter-final-opponents/blt8731c5eeafc15ca9" target="_blank">set to play Yanga SC in the first leg of the Caf Champions League quarter-final match</a> on March 30 - just after the international break.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

"It’s tough because [Williams] is struggling with a shoulder injury and we have got a very important Champions League game," Mokwena told the media.[Mokoena] is [also] struggling with a knee [injury] and they have had them since the Afcon. It’s only now that we have Mothobi Mvala and [Mudau] back but we still have a problem with Thapelo Maseko who also got injured at the Afcon."We try to protect our players as best as we can; rest is important so that they can minimize the load," the 37-year-old continued."It helps with the schedule we have and they are fresher for the Champions League. But it’s not easy because at the same time, we have to win games and you can't say to people that we didn’t have Aubrey Modiba, Ronwen, and [Mokoena] but you know how important they are to us."

WHAT MOKWENA SAID

The aforementioned players are not in the Bafana Bafana squad <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/bafana-bafana-dealt-double-blow-ex-kaizer-chiefs-star-siyabonga-ngezana-and-portugal-based-midfielder-sphephelo-sithole-withdraw-from-squad/blt259ce16bcee3ed5a" target="_blank">for the North Africa tour</a> that will see the team play Andorra and Algeria in international friendly assignments.Mokwena hopes all his key players will be available to play the Tanzanian champions in the continental assignment.

WHAT NEXT?

Mokwena sweating on Williams & Mokoena fitness ahead of Caf Champions League date with Yanga SC | Goal.com

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena is hopeful his star players will be fit enough to play Yanga SC in the Caf Champions League.

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