Cardoso speaks about why Sundowns reduced their squad for the 2025 AFCON!

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Foot Africa

·5 December 2025

Cardoso speaks about why Sundowns reduced their squad for the 2025 AFCON!

The Portuguese coach speaks about the reason for the lack of representation of his players in the national team.

Cardoso speaks about why Sundowns reduced their squad for the 2025 AFCON!

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Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has extended his best wishes to the South African national team for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, while also commenting on the notable decrease in Sundowns players selected compared to the previous tournament.

This follows a significant shift in squad composition. Rivals Orlando Pirates now lead with nine call-ups, whereas Sundowns, who had eight players at the last AFCON and seven starters in the opening match, will be represented by only five this time: Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, and Bathusi Aubaas. Several regulars, including Themba Zwane, Grant Kekana, Malibongwe Khoza, Thapelo Morena, and Iqraam Rayners, were not included.

Cardoso pointed to a recent injury crisis as a key factor, explaining that it likely impacted the national coach's considerations.

"I would like to give my best wishes to the national team of South Africa," said Cardoso. "I would like that, especially the Masandawana family, could understand that, unfortunately, in the last two or three months, we had many players who had long-term injuries."

He specifically mentioned influential figures like Zwane, Morena, Kekana, [Terrence] Basadien, and Khoza as missing out due to fitness issues.

he added.

Despite the smaller contingent, Cardoso strongly reaffirmed the club's support for Bafana Bafana.