Cardoso confirms Mudau blow for Sundowns and Bafana

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has confirmed that defender Khuliso Mudau has suffered a long-term injury.

Mudau was stretchered off in the 38^th minute of Sundowns’ 2-0 win over Marumo Gallants on Wednesday to be replaced by Zuko Mdunyelwa.

The right-back needed medical attention after going down before he was taken off in pain and Cardoso has now confirmed that he suffered an Achilles injury.

Cardoso opens up on defender’s injury

“Mudau has severe injury…for a player of his experience and calibre is a big loss and even for South Africa,” Cardoso told SuperSport TV after the game.

“We believe so [Achilles injury] unfortunately, a very, very severe injury. He got injured outside of the pitch on that action. There was no contact. I thought it was the one in the middle but no, he was here, we reviewed the action,” added the Sundowns coach, confirming that Mudau’s injury was purely accidental.

"It's a very very severe injury" ❌🦵

Miguel Cardoso on Khuliso Mudau's condition 🎙️#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/JcWYLLU8f5

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 19, 2026

“This one was not from a tackle, unfortunately Teboho [Mokoena] is still not okay from that first match but no this was absolutely accidental. It happens, there are accidents in F1, there are injuries in football.

Who will likely replace Mudau?

“It is a big loss but let us hope the other ones raise [their game] for the next challenge.”

Mudau’s injury is likely to keep him out for long which is a blow not just to Sundowns but Bafana Bafana who will begin the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September.

The defender has been a reliable presence at right-back for club and country and in his absence, Cardoso will have to call upon Mdunyelwa, Thapelo Morena and even Kegan Johannes who can also play there.