Sundowns Hit By Major Injury Blow As Brayan Leon Faces Long Spell On The Sidelines

Mamelodi Sundowns have reportedly suffered a significant injury setback after Colombian striker Brayan León underwent surgery and is expected to remain out of action for the rest of 2026.

The development is another frustrating blow for head coach Miguel Cardoso, who is already dealing with several injury concerns as the Brazilians attempt to recover from a disappointing period in their campaign.

According to information reported by the Siya crew, León's injury is more serious than initially feared. A source close to the situation indicated that the striker will require an extended period of rehabilitation before returning to competitive football.

“He is going to be out for quite some time. He underwent surgery and is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the year. It is a long-term injury,” the source reportedly told the Siya crew.

The 26-year-old suffered the injury during Sundowns' CAF Super Cup final against USM Alger at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday, 8 November 2026.

León was unable to continue after going down during the opening stages of the encounter. Medical personnel attended to him before he was stretchered off, forcing Cardoso to make an early change.

Iqraam Rayners was introduced in the 17th minute and subsequently scored Sundowns' equalising goal from the penalty spot.

Unfortunately, the substitution could not change the overall outcome as the Tshwane giants suffered a 3-1 defeat against the Algerian side. The result denied Sundowns another continental trophy and added to the disappointment of an already difficult afternoon.

León's injury is particularly concerning because Sundowns need attacking consistency as they continue competing in domestic competitions. His absence will reduce the coach's options in the centre-forward position and could place additional responsibility on Rayners.

The Colombian's physical presence, movement and attacking qualities have provided another dimension to Sundowns' forward department. Losing him for several weeks could therefore force Cardoso to reconsider his attacking combinations.

The coach will also need to manage the workload of the available forwards while ensuring that the team maintains its attacking threat.

However, the question now being discussed among supporters is whether Sundowns should consider signing another striker when the transfer window opens.

The Brazilians have players capable of operating in attacking positions, but León's reported long-term absence makes squad depth especially important. Rayners remains an important option, while other attacking players could also be required to contribute more regularly.

Cardoso has already acknowledged that injuries have affected his preparations, particularly after Nuno Santos was also ruled out before the Super Cup final. He admitted that losing important players so early made the match difficult for his team.

For now, Sundowns will be hoping León makes a successful recovery without complications. The club has not yet published a detailed official medical statement confirming the full diagnosis or exact return date.

Source:

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