Dark cloud over Downs: Mudau facing surgery and months on the sidelines

Rugby

Podcasts & Videos

The Club House

Win
–>

A 2-0 victory against Marumo Gallants came at a cost for Mamelodi Sundowns as Khuliso Mudau was stretched off with an injury. Photo: Gallo Images

Home

Psl

Mamelodi Sundowns

Dark cloud over Downs: Mudau facing surgery and months on the sidelines

Aug 20, 2026 – 09:40 am
By Ernest Fakude

Mamelodi Sundowns collected maximum points in their third Betway Premiership encounter of the season, beating Marumo Gallants 2-0 at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday — but the victory came at a significant cost.

Defender Khuliso Mudau was stretchered off the field with what appeared to be a serious injury, casting a dark cloud over an otherwise positive result for the Tshwane giants.

Head coach Miguel Cardoso confirmed post-match that the evergreen fullback is expected to see a specialist on Thursday before undergoing surgery, with a suspected Achilles injury that could rule him out of action for the rest of the year.

“He would tomorrow [Thursday] see a specialist and surgeon, for sure, a day after so that we can start the recovery process,” the Portuguese gaffer told journalists.

“But that we cannot control. It was even an action where he was alone. There was no contact. It was not a tackle with an opponent. It happens, like incidents happen in car races. Also, in football sometimes, injuries like this happen,” Cardoso added.

Mudau’s setback further depletes Cardoso’s options, with the defender joining the likes of Antonio Van Wyk, Teboho Mokoena and Arthur Sales on the sidelines — a growing concern for the Brazilian-based side as they navigate a demanding campaign across multiple competitions.

Adverts keep KickOff free to read. Your ad blocker stops them. Please allow adverts on kickoff.com. You can still read without allowing them.