Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has explained the reason behind the limited game-time of midfielder Neo Maema, who has made just three appearances so far this season.
The Brazilians returned to winning ways on Wednesday evening with a convincing 3-0 win over Cape Town City as Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Peter Shalulile (brace) got on the score sheet.
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The match also marked the first start of the season for Maema, who has fallen down the pecking order at Downs, having made just two appearances prior to Wednesday's encounter.
However, speaking to journalists at the post-match press conference, the former assistant to Rulani Mokwena revealed what has kept the versatile midfielder in the stands instead of on the field.
"As for Neo, his injury is probably one thing that has taken him out for longer, not his performance," Mngqithi explained.
"I think we all know his quality, but unfortunately he has been getting injury after injury and it was worse when he came from a long lay-off and he had a freak injury where he had a cut on the ankle, on the front.
"We thought it's, it's a small thing, but it took long [to heal] because every time he walked, it would open and close like that, and the doctors tried to stitch it.
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"I am not sure even now if it has fully healed.
"But I was impressed to see him coming back again because that left foot in midfield is always going to be very important for us," added the 53-year-old mentor.
Sundowns are second on the Betway Premiership league table, three points behind Orlando Pirates.