Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has revealed that there will be a
late fitness test for one of his star players ahead of the MTN8 final this
Saturday.
South American attacker Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who scored the winner the
last time Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates 1-0 in the league a few weeks ago,
was taken off with a knock in the club’s CAF Champions League clash
against Bumamuru FC last weekend.
Ribeiro is Sundowns’ top scorer at the moment with seven goals in all
competitions and three assists, making him one of the side’s biggest
threats in the final third. However, there is an anxious wait to see if he
will be available to play in what would be his first major knockout
competition final since making a move from Europe to join Sundowns.
At a press conference held at Chloorkop on Thursday afternoon, Mokwena
said: “Injury update…there is a lot of work being done by the medical
team and the rehab guys, which is very good from the sports science
perspective. We’ve only got a serious injury to Sipho Mbule, who is still
out. Thapelo Morena is out, Thapelo Maseko (is) doubtful, (Bathusi) Aubaas
is out, will not make it. (Lesiba) Nku is back, Lucas Ribeiro will do a
late fitness test. So, that’s more or less what we have and we have to
manage the situation as it is. I am focused mainly on what’s on the
training pitch and what is available at this moment in time. It does not
help to focus on the players that are not available.”
Mamelodi Sundowns will be hoping that Ribeiro passes his late fitness
test, as they take on Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final this Saturday at
Moses Mabhida Stadium.
