Miguel Cardoso gives Rayners, Tsiki update as AmaZulu clash looms

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has provided an update on Iqraam Rayners and Katlego ‘Tsiki’ Ntsabeleng, with their Betway Premiership clash against AmaZulu FC on the horizon.

The pair was excluded from the matchday squad in the shock 1-0 defeat to Golden Arrows in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final tie in Atteridgeville over the weekend.

Cardoso, however, has since clarified that Rayners, who has made two appearances across all competitions this season, was under the weather a day before the cup match against Abafana Bes'thende.

“Iqraam, if he's not on the medical report is because the doctor forgot because yesterday [Saturday] he appeared on the session with a flue and he could not be lined up, so he was not available for the match,” said the Downs mentor.

On Tsiki, who has joined the Brazilians on a permanent deal from Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit FC Dallas, the Portuguese tactician says the player's omission was simply a technical decision.

“Tsiki is on the process of being 100% okay, so he could have been called up, he was not by a technical option, but he's already available to be put to play when we decide so," Cardoso added.

"What made us not to make an option on him was that we felt that he still needs a little bit more on training in order to be available, and we will always have a few players that will stay out. So, it's completely different situations from one and the other.

Sundowns will host AmaZulu FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday, 26 August, as the African champions look to make it back-to-back wins in the Betway Premiership.

Hlayisani Magoro

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Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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