By KOPANO MONAHENG
WIN at all costs. That is how Mamelodi Sundowns will approach their MTN8 semi-final first-leg clash when they take on Golden Arrows on Sunday at Lucas Moripe stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.
The Tshwane side have been winning their matches so far this season, although they have not always been as clinical as they should be.
The sad part is that Sundowns will have to soldier on without one of their best right-backs and one of Mzansi’s top defenders, Khuliso Mudau, who suffered an injury in midweek against Marumo Gallants.
According to Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, Mudau has suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury that could keep him on the sidelines for up to six months. That is certainly bad news for the Yellow Nation and Bafana Bafana.
“I think, as I said already, we have two players in that position, Thapelo Morena and Zuko Mdunyelwa. Obviously, Thapelo is a player last season we saw how important he was in the Champions League and how we missed him,” said Cardoso.
But the Sundowns coach is not taking Golden Arrows lightly.
“It’s two matches to be played until the last minute of the last one. It means that we need to fight during the first match for the best result possible.”
Cardoso was also unhappy with the way his side finished their previous match, believing they should have scored more goals.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), I didn’t stay really excited with the last 20 minutes because I think we should have scored more goals than we did.”
He also made it clear that Sundowns are taking the MTN8 seriously, despite the trophy not being displayed at their Kloorkop headquarters.
“The trophy has not been shown in Kloorkop, but we value it as others. There’s no intention not to value the trophy or competition at all from our side.”
Sundowns’ intention is to field the players they believe are in the best condition for the clash and secure their place in the final.
“So our intention is to take on the next match the players we feel are in the best conditions to play that game.
“It’s our intention to go over this qualifying round so that then we can arrive in the final. The final is after the international break. So obviously we would like to, and we will try our best, in order to achieve a positive result.
“The positive result is always qualification, victory without conceding goals. And that’s obviously the care that we need to have. But also, we are not a team that usually has the capacity to wait to see what the game is going to give. So we need to go for it, take responsibility for the game like if you are playing a normal game,” he said.
“Surely, if we arrive at that point and when we arrive at that point, if we show the capacity and confidence to win against Golden Arrows, we will for sure try to fight for the trophy.”
The biggest concern heading into the match, however, remains the absence of Mudau.
“Obviously, it’s a big loss when you lose probably one of the best African players in the position of right-back.
“But I can also tell you, because I just spoke with the doctor a few minutes ago, that it’s confirmed: a total rupture of the Achilles tendon for Mudau and a period of up to six months.
“He will undergo surgery next Monday and start the recovery process from there.
“Unfortunately, these things happen in football. We don’t control them. We have to deal with the circumstances and we will do it in the best way.
“It’s important to also understand that we have in that position one of the best right-backs in the country, Thapelo Morena, who was also an international player for Bafana Bafana.
“And we also have Zuko, who is also an international player for Bafana Bafana. So, for the moment, the trust goes on them.”
