Mamelodi Sundowns defender Mothobi Mvala has opened up about the difficult period he experienced while recovering from injuries, admitting that there were moments when he feared his time at the club was over.

The 32-year-old has endured two frustrating seasons because of injuries, which limited his involvement to just 12 appearances over that period. His absence was a major setback, especially considering the important role he played in the Sundowns squad before his injury problems.

However, Mvala is now enjoying a welcome return to action after starting Sundowns' last two matches in the Carling KnockOut Cup. His performances have also given the club another defensive option as they continue competing on different fronts this season.

For the experienced defender, returning to the pitch means much more than simply getting regular minutes. It is also about enjoying the small moments that come with being part of a football team, something he missed during his long spell on the sidelines.

Speaking during Sundowns' media open day at Chloorkop, Mvala explained how much he missed celebrating goals and sharing special moments with his teammates.

"It feels great to be back on the field to be with my teammates, to go to the corner flag after scoring, celebrating with them, give each other hugs, high fives, those are the moments I missed a lot," he said.

The defender also admitted that his lengthy absence left him uncertain about his future at the club. After spending so much time away from competitive football, he was not sure whether he would get another opportunity to represent the Tshwane giants.

"Getting some minutes, it gives me motivation because I was out for long, I was worried if I would ever be back in the team and now, I'm back with the guys. The feeling is amazing, I never thought I'd be back and playing the way, I've been," Mvala added.

He also expressed his appreciation to the people who supported him throughout his recovery, including the technical team, medical staff, senior players and his teammates. He specifically mentioned Themba Zwane among those who stood by him during the difficult period.

Mvala admitted that even the physical tiredness that comes after playing a competitive match was something he had missed.

"Kudos to the coaches, medical staff, my teammates, the senior players, Themba Zwane, people who were there for me – that feeling of being tired after a game, I really missed it, so it's amazing," he said.

Mvala joined Sundowns from Highlands Park in 2020 and has since made 125 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals and providing four assists.

His return comes at an important time for the Brazilians, who are preparing for the CAF Super Cup against Algerian giants USM Alger at Loftus Versfeld. The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00.

After fighting his way back from two difficult seasons, Mvala will now be hoping to remain fit and play a bigger role in Sundowns' campaign.

Source: IDiskiTimes