Mamelodi Sundowns are set to face TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout round of 16 on Wednesday evening away at Mbombela Stadium, but the Tshwane giants may have to play with a depleted squad. Seven of their players are due to feature in an international friendly away in Africa, and in addition, there are six players who have been ruled out due to injuries ahead of their MTN8 Cup final against Orlando Pirates.
The Brazilians’ squad depth will be severely tested, as the seven players with Bafana are only due to arrive in the country on Wednesday, meaning they will have to do without those key players against the Rockets in the Carling Knockout. Of the six injured 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.
PSLSA 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.
