Just when it seemed like Lebo Mothiba is finally back, there has been another setback, but it may not be for too long.
Mothiba is yet to feature in Mamelodi Sundowns' matchday squad this season, missing the club's first three matches in all competitions. It appears the player picked up a knock which has kept him out of the start of the new season, but his return is imminent, according to Cardoso.
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The big striker made a surprise second-half appearance in the CAF Champions League second leg final against Pyramids FC and then had two cameos at the Club World Cup, scoring one goal in the 4-3 defeat to German Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund.
The opportunities to play must have come with a huge sigh of relief, considering he waited a while to return to the pitch due to recovering from injury. The injuries, however, are not fully behind him as Cardoso revealed that he is making his way back from a knock. The promising part, though, is that Sundowns supporters might not have to wait too long to see him back on the pitch.
"Regarding Mothiba, he is almost ready, not yet. But he is starting to train normal with the team, so we expect him in one week or one week and a half, that he would join the team and even be able to play. Then it's up to us to manage the game time progressively, so that he can make his return to competition in the right way," Cardoso told media after Sundowns' 2-0 victory over AmaZulu at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday evening.
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"When we speak about recovery, there is a moment where he has to recover from the injury and then he needs to get back to training, but he really has to be able to perform on the pitch and that's the moment we are going to put him to play, when we feel he can really help the team. But he is almost there. Pretty soon he will be back."
Having Mothiba back in the team will boost competition upfront. Iqraam Rayners has started the season well with three goals in all competitions, while Peter Shalulile remains a Sundowns player despite recent talk of Esperance showing an interest in his services.
