BREAKTHROUGH: Khuliso Mudau’s return explained

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has shed light on the contractual saga involving star defender Khuliso Mudau, confirming the player is now back with the team and working on his fitness.

Mudau has been a notable absentee from Sundowns’ lineup this season after reports surfaced that the club had rejected offers for the right-back from North African teams. This dispute led to the Bafana Bafana international training alone, missing all of the team’s opening fixtures.

The situation seems to be improving, however, as Mudau has rejoined his teammates in training.

Bafana coach Hugo Broos even stepped in, revealing he met with Mudau to help resolve the issues and get him back into the national team setup. The defender missed out on the recent 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria.

Cardoso is optimistic about Mudau’s return but stressed that they won’t rush him back into competitive play.

SUNDOWNS COACH PROVIDES POSITIVE UPDATE KHULISO MUDAU

Speaking at Lucas Moripe Stadium after Sundowns’ 3-0 victory over Magesi FC, Cardoso stated that Khuliso Mudau is training “fantastically well” and is expected to contribute “pretty soon.”

“Khuliso is solving all the issues with the club…we are absolutely sure that he will be able to help because he’s willing to help,” said Cardoso. “The people in charge of the club will take this with the right responsibility, the right commitment, and the right intention to put Mudau back into the team.”

The coach emphasised the importance of ensuring Mudau’s match fitness is at the required level before he plays, noting his period of training alone.

“You cannot put a Bafana Bafana player in a match when he’s still not at the level that people want to see him in,” Cardoso explained. “I don’t want people to see a player on the pitch and say, ‘Who is that guy?’ We want him when he enters the pitch to fly.”

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso explains why defender Khuliso Mudau is not in the matchday squads despite being back in training with he team. pic.twitter.com/0pNi3WN8k3

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