Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has confirmed that forward Cassius Mailula’s injury is not as serious as initially thought and also cautioned against the favourite tag in the CAF champions League.
Mailula was missing from the Sundowns match-day squad that defeated Marumo Gallants 2-0 in the DStv Premiership in Polokwane on the weekend with a hamstring injury.
It was initially feared he could miss the remainder of the season but Mokwena says the player will be back soon.
“No, no Cassius will be back soon. It is not as big as we thought,” said the Masandawana coach briefly.
The 21-year-old has impressed for Sundowns since making his first-team debut this season, scoring 15 goals and four assists in all competitions, including six in the CAF Champions League.
At this stage, though, it is not clear whether the Limpopo-born youngster will travel to Casablanca for the first leg of their semi-final tie.
Sundowns have long wrapped the 2022/23 domestic league and are touted as favourites to lift the prestigious Champions league trophy this season after beating record champions 5-2 and thrashing CR Belouizdad 6-2 on aggregate in the quarter-final, but Mokwena says there are other clubs who deserve the favourite tag because of their history in the competition.
“We have no rights to be the favourites no, the team to beat, no,” he added.
“Esperance have won it more than us, Al Ahly have won it more than once than us, Wydad have won it more than us, so we have to enjoy the opportunity and enjoy the occasion.
“But as I said step by step, first things first, recover, sleep, get the legs back and get the players in the right space physically and mentally.”
