Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso explains Siyanda Ndlovu's absence after star signing misses MTN8 clash - 'He got that small injury'

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has revealed that recently acquired forward Siyanda Ndlovu sat out the MTN8 fixture due to a minor injury picked up in training. The South African international, who has netted consistently for his previous clubs, missed the domestic cup competition as Sundowns managed their squad rotation carefully. Cardoso's decision to rest Ndlovu underscores the club's cautious approach to integrating their latest signing whilst maintaining depth across their campaign.

Ndlovu's absence carries weight given Sundowns' ambitions this season; the Pretoria outfit have won the Premiership title five times in the past decade and remain competitive across multiple competitions. The 26-year-old forward brings proven finishing ability to Cardoso's attacking setup, having accumulated double-digit goal tallies in previous seasons domestically. His integration into the squad matters significantly as Sundowns pursue both league honours and continental success, with the MTN8 serving as an early-season barometer of their form.

Cardoso indicated that Ndlovu's return is imminent, with the injury classified as minor and unlikely to sideline him for an extended period. Sundowns' medical team will assess the forward ahead of their next league fixture, as they aim to maintain their position among South Africa's title contenders. Early signs suggest Ndlovu will feature prominently once fully fit, allowing Cardoso to deploy his full complement of attacking options as the season intensifies across domestic and African competitions.