Mamelodi Sundowns have been hit by a fresh blow ahead of their Carling Knockout Cup [CKO] and African Football League [AFL] encounters.
Sundowns are already without seven of their key players ahead of the CKO tie against TS Galaxy on Wednesday.
Downs were forced to play their Carling Knockout match midweek, just three days before they kicked off their AFL campaign. Their participation in the AFL hung in the balance until last week when they agreed to a congested fixture schedule.
With Themba Zwane, Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala, Grant Kekana, Teboho Mokoena, and Aubrey Modiba all away with Bafana Bafana, Sundowns are already thin in depth.
FARPost has established that the seven will fly straight to Angola after Tuesday night’s match. That arrangement means they miss the Galaxy match.
Bafana takes on Ivory Coast in a high-profile international friendly match on Tuesday night in Abidjan.
On the other hand, the Sundowns fixture against Galaxy takes place on Wednesday evening at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
WHAT IS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS’ FRESH BLOW?
Downs talisman Peter Shalulile is a doubt for the Galaxy match after pulling his hamstring. The Namibian featured in the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates a fortnight ago, but will now have to nurse his hamstring.
The Brazilians are already without the Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro, who also missed the MTN8 Cup final.
Add to that, the South African champions are also sweating over the availability of Thapelo Maseko, Thapelo Morena, Abubeker Nasir, Siyanda Nyanga, Sipho Mbule and Bathusi Aubaas.
On a positive note, they welcome back Lesiba Nku, who has missed the last couple of games due to injury. Nonetheless, after losing in the MTN8 final courtesy of a penalty shootout, they will be hoping to capture the new cup competition.
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