Siwelele FC will be without newly signed goalkeeper Jody February when they face his parent club Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday evening.
The Bloemfontein outfit recently secured the 30-year-old goalkeeper on loan from Sundowns for the remainder of the season as they look to address their early-season struggles between the posts.
However, February will be ineligible to play against the reigning league champions due to the terms of his loan agreement. His absence comes at a difficult time for Siwelele, who are still searching for their first victory of the 2026/27 campaign. They have collected just two points from their opening five matches, with three defeats and two draws.
Siwelele would have hoped to throw February straight into the starting line-up after the costly mistakes by goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu in their 3-2 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.
The club has struggled to find stability in that department since the start of the season.
Botswana international Goitseone Phoko, who joined from Jwaneng Galaxy, has not yet settled into his new surroundings. Siwelele also have Wandile Mthombeni, who arrived from Casric Stars, among their goalkeeping options.
February’s arrival gives the club another experienced option as they attempt to turn their season around. The Cape Town-born shot-stopper joined Sundowns from Ajax Cape Town, now Cape Town Spurs, in 2019. However, opportunities have been limited at Chloorkop.
Much of his time on the books of the Brazilians has been spent on loan. He has previously had spells with Cape Umoya United, Moroka Swallows and AmaZulu FC in search of regular game time.
SIWELELE BEGINS LIFE WITHOUT SEEMA
Although February has been back at Sundowns over the past few campaigns, he has remained on the fringes and did not make a single appearance last season.
In total, he has made just eight appearances for the CAF Champions League holders since joining the Tshwane giants.
His latest move follows Ricardo Goss’s return to Chloorkop. Goss spent last season on loan at Siwelele and returned to Sundowns at the end of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Siwelele will begin life without Lehlohonolo Seema as they face the reigning African champions.
The club parted ways with Seema after the defeat to Chiefs, ending his tenure following a difficult start to the new season.
Reserve-team coach Godfrey Mosoetsa has since been promoted to take charge of the senior side on an interim basis. His first assignment will be a daunting one against Sundowns, as Siwelele is desperate to end their five-match winless run.
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