South African internationals Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, and Aubrey Modiba all suffered injuries during the recent FIFA break with Bafana Bafana under new head coach Pitso Mosimane.
Portuguese mentor Cardoso has addressed reporters regarding his squad’s availability ahead of the top eight finale with defending champions Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on the weekend.
“Look, what is important to know is that I said it on the first day, and I will say it again: when the players go to the national team, they are national team players,” said Cardoso.
“They arrived yesterday [Tuesday], and we assessed them during the day; it’s the first contact that the doctors had with the players, but let’s wait and see how they react to the work we put in with them.
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“From there we will move, but we cannot risk anything on the players. This match this week is important, but on Tuesday there is another one [Richards Bay],” added the CAF Champions League winner.
“It is the second preliminary round match for the Champions League. So, we will see if they fully recover, and in those conditions, they will be able to play.”