Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena is exercising caution with midfielder Teboho Mokoena’s return from injury.

Mokoena hasn’t played for Sundowns since injuring his hamstring against Moroka Swallows on 15 April. The injury occurred after he scored a trademark long-range shot that beat Daniel Akpeyi. He was immediately substituted due to the injury.

While initial expectations were that Mokoena would be fit for the first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final against ES Esperance, his recovery has taken longer.

“He’s coming up nicely,” said Mokwena when asked by Sportswire.

“Tebza is coming up very nicely. It is just a matter of risking. Maybe had we not qualified for the final, he would probably play some of the games now. But you have got to weigh things up. But he’s coming all nicely.”  

Mokoena, the reigning PSL Footballer of the Season, has missed the last seven matches in all competitions due to the injury.

Mokwena voiced concerns about the congested schedule on Wednesday, suggesting it’s a factor in the hamstring injuries plaguing his key players. The Sundowns squad has played a grueling 52 games this season in six competitions, including seven with Bafana Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.