Downs defender caught up in mixed fortunes

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Mothobi Mvala will have another league campaign ending with red markings as the defending champions end their Betway Premiership season on Tuesday.

Mvala has only played twice in the league this season – coming on as a substitute for 15 minutes against Magesi FC last September and then being introduced again from the bench a week later for a half-hour run in the defeat to Golden Arrows.

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Eight months later, he hasn’t played again.

Along the way, he has missed the AFCON finals having been part of the squad that reached the semi-finals at the previous tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.

The consequences of his injury issues have meant that he will also not be considered for the World Cup squad.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has confirmed that the 31-year-old is still not available for selection.

"Mothobi is not still able to play," noted the Portuguese tactician over the weekend.

Should the big centre-back not get to play on Tuesday, then he will have featured in only six games in the league in two seasons at Chloorkop.

Only one of those six appearances has been a full shift – which was in October 2024 – and the rest were appearances from the bench.

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The comfort for the former Highlands Park man is that he is set to remain at the club next season with the option of a further year on his contract being exercised.

With Mvala having spent six years at Sundowns, it will give him an extra year at the club and make amends for the 88 games that he hasn't had minutes in since the beginning of last season.