Sundowns revving Shalulile’s engine ahead of PSL return
Rulani Mokwena, the head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, is ecstatic that Peter Shalulile may resume full training before the DStv Premiership match with Orlando Pirates later this month.
Shalulie has been in the casualty ward for a while. He is believed to be eager to advance his career outside of Chloorkop. His timely return, along with others, will give Mokwena a good headache.
Must read: Sundowns possible replacements for Peter Shalulile
The fascinating Cassius Mailula has been in charge of the front line while Shalulile has been away.
“We have been a little bit unlucky with the number of injuries but we have also been lucky because it comes at a period where there are no official games,” said Mokwena
“We are looking to get Peter back on the green grass in the next week or so. Haashim Domingo has also made good progress and that is something that excites us. Sphelele Mkhulilse got a knock in the Carling Black Label Cup and he is also getting close to returning. Bradley Ralani is also starting some conditioning work with physical trainers and we will gradually introduce him to team training,” he adds.
Phakaaati reports that as the start of the league looms, the Brazilians are having a camp in Polokwane this week to fuel up their engines. Time players like Mailula and Erwin Savedraa will be among those being attentively watched as they recover from minor injuries, others like Terrence Mashego and Abdelmounaim Boutouil are anticipated to be sidelined for a while following surgery.
Must read: Sundowns shopping list contains THREE Kaizer Chiefs players
“We want to try and prepare well for what will be a difficult January. We also want to try to get close to the game rhythm and match intensity. We are looking forward to it and there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. That’s the whole purpose of the trip to Polokwane,” said Mokwena.
“Savedraa is making steady progress and he is looking to be integrated into team training, same as Cassius, who is getting ready to join the conditioning team. Mosa Lebusa is also making good progress while Abubaker Nasir is back and training with the team.
“He is still way off in relation to his conditioning. The majority of the players are making good progress and the credit has to go to the medical staff and biokinetics for overseeing a lot of injury concerns and complications,” the Downs mentor added.