Sundowns Blow: 13 Key Players Out?

Oct 16, 2023 - 04:39 pm

By Thato Bosoga

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 07: Penalty shootout during the MTN8 final match between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images),

Mamelodi Sundowns may have to play their Carling Knockout round of 16 fixture against TS Galaxy with a depleted squad as the number of players who may not be available has risen to 13.

The Brazilians are scheduled to face TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout on Wednesday evening away at Mbombela Stadium and the game will come too soon for their seven players with Bafana Bafana to feature in an international friendly away in Africa.

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Sundowns currently have goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Themba Zwane, Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala and Grant Kekana all with Bafana in Ivory Coast in preparation for the game against the Africa Cup of Nations hosts on Tuesday.

Bafana are only due to arrive in the country on Wednesday, which means the Tshwane giants will have to do without those seven key players against the Rockets in the Carling Knockout, who all could have been in the line-up.

The Brazilians' squad depth will be severely tested, as in addition, there are six players who were ruled out due to injuries ahead of their MTN8 Cup final against Orlando Pirates.

In those six players, only Thapelo Morena may have a chance to have recovered during the FIFA break, as he was out with an abdominal injury, described to be in stage 1 rehabilitation by Sundowns' injury updates before the MTN8 final.

Sipho Mbule was said to be out with an ankle injury, in stage 2 of his rehabilitation, Lesiba Nku out with a groin injury and in stage 2 of his rehab, Lucas Ribeiro Costa was out with a knee injury, in stage 2 of his rehab. Bathusi Aubaas was ruled out with a groin injury, in stage 2 of his rehab and finally Abubaker Nasir has been out with an ankle injury and was said to be in stage 3 of his rehab.

The Brazilians are set to play against Petro de Luanda in the African Football League quarter-final first-leg away in Angola on Saturday, as confirmed by the club. There are reports that the seven players with Bafana will catch a direct flight to Angola to join their teammates.

Soccer Laduma looks at how Sundowns could line-up against Galaxy, possibly without 13 players, mostly key players, for the first time this season.

Sundowns possible line-up: Pieterse, Boutouil, Coetzee, B. Onyango, De Reuck, Allende, Zungu, Mkhulise, Maboe, Maema, Shalulile

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