Mamelodi Sundowns have a 'huge hospital ward' with their spot at the top of the DSTV Premiership under threat from a confident Swallows FC side.
Going into their clash against the Dube Birds this weekend, Sundowns have a number of injuries in defence and this is likely to force them to change their system a bit, according to coach Rulani Mokwena.
Mokwena has confirmed Brazilian Nascimento remains out nursing an injury, while the likes of Bangaly Soumahoro, Khuliso Mudau and Lyle Lakay are also out.
The clubs meet at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday, January 22.
"Without the key players, it's been tough. Our preparations have been tough, but we've got enough within the squad. We are a little bit thin at the moment with regards to the defensive line. Medically we are without Ricardo Nascimento, medically we are without Lyle Lakay, medically we are without Bangaly Soumahoro and for medical reasons we are without (Khuliso) Mudau," Mokwena told the Sundowns media department.
"It leaves us very thin in that department. And then we were dealt a huge blow by losing Brian Onyango with a grade two thigh injury and that sets us back a little bit and we have to see how we improvise and be creative in how we solve that situation. Maybe it's to play a back three or maybe it's to play with inverted fullbacks or maybe play like Swallows with two at the back.
We don't know how we are going to do this, but we will find solutions. We've got enough within the team to be able to adapt. Unfortunately at this moment in time, we've got a huge hospital ward. But these are problems every club is facing. We've just got to do the best we can under the circumstances.
