Mamelodi Sundowns will return from the international break to a demanding run of fixtures, with the MTN8 final, the PSL campaign and the CAF Champions League all taking place in October.
Miguel Cardoso’s side are already managing a number of injury concerns, increasing the pressure on the squad as they continue their domestic and continental campaigns on multiple fronts.
The final Bafana Bafana match of the international window is a friendly against Egypt in Cairo on 4 October. Coach Pitso Mosimane is expected to rotate his squad to provide opportunities for fringe players and take account of the injuries affecting the team.
Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas are among the Sundowns players who will miss the Egypt fixture. The trio were ruled out after Bafana Bafana’s 2027 AFCON qualifier victory over Eritrea on 30 September.
Modiba could be available when club football resumes next week, although there is less certainty over the return dates of Mokoena and Aubaas. Sundowns are also continuing to cope with longer-term injuries to Khuliso Mudau, Keanu Cupido and other members of the squad.
Their first fixture after the international break is the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates on 10 October. The match will be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00.
Sundowns then resume their PSL campaign against Richards Bay on 13 October, according to the league’s official website. The match is due to begin at 19:30 at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu.
CAF Champions League return
The South African side will also begin their next CAF Champions League tie against Angola’s Wiliete SC during the same month.
The first leg is scheduled for 17 October at Ombaka National Stadium in Benguela, with kick-off at 17:00. The return match will be played at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 24 October and will also start at 17:00.
The Carling Knockout Cup is set to begin on 24 October, according to the PSL website, adding another commitment to an already congested period.
Sundowns are therefore scheduled to play five matches over approximately two weeks, placing significant demands on Cardoso and his players while the team continues to deal with injuries.
Cardoso has acknowledged that competing in domestic and continental tournaments at the same time puts Sundowns at a disadvantage. As cited by Goal, he described the congested calendar as the team’s fate and a situation they had to manage.
The coach has previously called on football authorities to work with the club over the demands of the schedule. According to KickOff, Cardoso has also warned that November’s fixture list will present further difficulties for Sundowns.