Rhoda Mulaudzi settling well after 14-month injury lay-off

Rhoda Mulaudzi settling well after 14-month injury lay-off

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Rhoda Mulaudzi is settling well in the team after recovering from a long-term injury that has kept her out for over 14 months.

Mulaudzi suffered a meniscus injury during Downs’ CAF Champions League campaign in October 2022, and has appeared in just five matches in the Hollywoodbets Super League this season.

With two goals to her name, and contributing to Sundowns’ unbeaten run since her return, the former Canberra United forward praised the Sundowns medical and technical team for being patient with her throughout her recovery process.

"So last year it was just an operation year, if I may put it that way. But I thank the Almighty and the Mamelodi Sundowns team for their support – they were there for me since the beginning of the injury," said Mulaudzi.

"I got all the support that I needed from the club, the coaches and technical staff, and also the medical team, who played a huge role in football career, especially when I was injured.

"So I'm happy to be back and I can say I'm also proud of myself because it's not easy, you're dealing with a lot – the mindset, physically you can't do much, you just have to wait until you're fully recovered.

"But the club was there and were patient enough with me, so I'm very happy – that's all I can say."

The 34-year-old says, despite being fully recovered physically, her ambition for the rest of the season is to regain her mental strength.

"As much as I'm fully recovered and injury-free, my personal ambition is to focus on myself and my mental wellbeing, as well as my fitness," she added.

"I'm still building myself up and I don't want to rush things, I believe they will come naturally. As much as I understand people are waiting to see the Rhoda Mulaudzi [of old], but I don't want to put myself under pressure when it comes to that."

READ: Kaylin Swart: JVW will step up as Hollywoodbets Super League intensifies