Sundowns revving Shalulile’s engine ahead of PSL return

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena is delighted at the prospect of Peter Shalulile returning to full training ahead of the DStv Premiership clash with Orlando Pirates later this month.

Shalulie, who is understood to be keen to advance his career away from Chloorkop, has been in the casualty ward for a while and his timely return, along with others, will give Mokwena a healthy headache.

During Shalulile’s absence, the exciting Cassius Mailula has been leading the front line.

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“We have been a little bit unlucky with the amount 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.

The Brazilians are holding a camp in Polokwane this week in an effort to rev up their engines as the resumption of the league looms. Players such as Terrence Mashego and Abdelmounaim Boutouil are expected to be out of action for a while after undergoing surgery, but the likes of Mailula and Erwin Savedraa will be among those who are closely monitored as they return from minor injuries.

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“We want to try and prepare well for what will be a difficult January. We also want to try to get close to 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 complication,” the Downs mentor added.