Mamelodi Sundowns have been dealt a major blow with winger Keletso Makgalwa expected to be sidelined for between three to six months.

The 22-year-old will be out for several months after sustaining an injury during Sundowns’ 1-1 draw with Cape Town City last Tuesday.

The Limpopo-born winger was on the pitch for just 13 minutes before City captain Thamsanqa Mkhize stepped on his ankle.

Makgalwa is scheduled for surgery on Thursday before beginning his recovery at the club’s new high-performance centre with a physiotherapist, according to Sundowns.

Sundowns released the following statement on Makgalwa’s injury:

‘Keletso Makgalwa’s season at Mamelodi Sundowns has been dealt a major blow after an assessment on his ankle showed he could be out of action for several months.

‘The young striker lasted only 13 minutes in our Absa Premiership draw at home against Cape Town City on Tuesday night at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

‘And the initial reaction was that the injury was indeed serious, with coach Pitso Mosimane worried that the players’ return to form had stalled.

‘It has now been confirmed by our medical team that “Aguero” will be ruled out for between three and six months as his road to recovery from his ankle injury begins.

‘Makgalwa has been scheduled for surgery this coming Thursday on his high ankle sprain and will be working at the club’s new high-performance centre with a physiotherapist.

‘The 22-year-old returned to Sundowns following a loan spell with Maritzburg United last season and the coach has showered him with praise after breaking into the first team recently – scoring a beautiful toe-poke goal last weekend in our MTN8 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic.

‘Mosimane also said Makgalwa reminded him of Percy Tau, who went on to be crowned the Premier Soccer League Footballer of the Season in 2017 and has since joined Brighton & Hove Albion in England, but is currently on loan at Club Brugge in Belgium.

‘Makgalwa has also been an integral part of the South African U23 team playing for qualification of the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year.’