Sundowns hold their breath over Mokoena and Williams injuries

October 19, 2026 96

Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Miguel Cardoso, has spoken about the injuries to goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams and midfielder, Teboho Mokoena, following their opening match of the 2026 CAF Champions League campaign.

The defending champions were held to a goalless draw by Angolan side, Wiliete SC, in the first leg of the second preliminary round on Sunday.

Mokoena was stretched off in the 40th minute due to injury, while Williams was left out of the match-day squad after picking up a minor knock in training.

“Obviously, the maturity from Ronwen Williams, the maturity of Teboho Mokoena, is important to sustain the team” Cardoso said.

“This team has also several young players, first start of a campaign after being champion, so always the stress to represent it in the best way. We felt that here and there was a little bit of stress,” he continued.

Cardoso said Mokoena had sustained a knock to the same ligament he injured while on national team duty.

“In the moment, we don’t know the extension of the injury, but he could not continue in the match. So, let’s hope it’s not a big thing, and we can recover him for the next match. Tomorrow he will be submitted to exams.”

On Williams, Cardoso said the goalkeeper had experienced pain after a minor contact during training.

“It was important to keep him safe from something that could come that would be, let’s say, more aggressive or that would put him in danger for the future. But no, not really, so we expect to recover him promptly.”

The second leg will take place in Pretoria on Friday.

Miguel Cardoso speaks on what it will take for Bafana Ba Style to come out on top in the second leg of the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL preliminary round 👆

#Sundowns #NeverStopRising https://t.co/fQ5xPZqHID

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 19, 2026