Cardoso slams "rough" challenge on Mokoena: "South Africa must protect our players"

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Teboho Mokoena injured

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has given an injury update on Teboho Mokoena and hit out at the challenge that ruled the Bafana Bafana midfielder out of action.

Mokoena missed Sundowns’ match against TS Galaxy today after picking up the injury against Polokwane City.

"Teboho Mokoena was today out for the match [vs TS Galaxy],” Cardoso confirmed.

The Portuguese coach then turned his frustration to the incident that caused the problem, saying SA football needs to do more to protect its stars.

“I think that it's important that South Africa understands that we have to protect our players,” Cardoso said.

“We cannot come from the World Cup and [a player] make contact off the ball with a national hero when he plays his first match on South African soil, we allow such aggressive action on him without even being penalised. It's a rough one, very rough one. The player [Polokwane City player], he was not even yellow carded.

"But this is the injury that has prevented Teboho Mokoena. It was not even yellow card this action [injury on Mokoena]."

Mokoena returned to Bafana duty after featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and made his first appearance back home before sustaining the knock.

The extent of the injury is not yet clear, but Sundowns will be hoping their midfield general is not sidelined for long with the Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League campaigns underway.

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