Mamelodi Sundowns are set to play Mbabane Swallows on Saturday in the first leg of the Caf Champions League second preliminary round fixture.
It will be the third competitive game the Premier Soccer League champions will be playing this season after the MTN8.
Thembinkosi Lorch, Sipho Mbule and Mothobi Mvala are among the players who have been nursing injuries, but it was the first two who were training with the rest on Thursday morning.
Will Mbule and Lorch feature on Saturday?
According to a recent update by Mngqithi, the chances of the duo getting involved this weekend are minimal.
“Lorch is as close as possible to the matchday squad, he played a friendly we played against Sekhukhune, he’s been training quite well, it was just unfortunate today he had a minor stiffness in his hamstring and pulled out early of training,” the 53-year-old told the media.
“Otherwise, we’re happy with the contribution he might make and we’re happy with the commitment and level of professionalism he’s shown throughout, from the beginning of the season when he was injured.
“Sipho also another player who has started full training, it will all depend on the numbers and everything else but he can be selected for the team, it’s all up to him at this stage because I think he has also been training very well.”
Most players almost fit for the new season
The former AmaZulu coach revealed how the team is fairing in terms of injuries ahead of the new season.
“Most of the players that were on the injury list are back in training, although have not really been at the full-blown stage of training but at this stage, we’re closer to a clean bill of health,” Mngqithi continued.
“Obviously, we will still have some niggles here and there, Mothobi is still a little behind, Divine is behind, Keegan is getting closer and closer to the group, and for me, it’s only those; besides the small knocks that we get during training that we’re managing. But we’re in a very good state as a team now.”
The game between Masandawana and Swallows will be staged at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
