Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has revealed that Brighton Mhlongo is set for a rare start in goal in the Nedbank Cup semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns as the recently-sold Clever Boys face a number of issues ahead of the restart.

The Braamfontein-based club sold their top-flight status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila during the lockdown and has seemingly been in turmoil since.

With the return to football finally greenlighted, Wits have had to put their off-field distractions aside as they look ahead to the semi-final clash with Downs.

However, as is the case with a number of clubs, the Clever Boys are struggling with a host of issues ahead of the restart and with both goalkeepers, Ricardo Goss and Brando Peterson, ruled out, Mhlongo is set for a rare start.

‘How long is this show?’ responded Hunt when asked about the injury issues facing Wits ahead of the clash with Sundowns.

‘Goss is out because he’s still got the five-game suspension. Brandon is out as well‚’ Hunt continued.

‘Brighton has to play. We have also brought our Diski [reserve team] goalkeeper up‚ who I haven’t seen much of.

‘We tried to get the players ready by the 18th‚ which was a very short time we had when we came back‚’ Hunt said.

‘We had a similar thing [to Sundowns] – obviously players breaking down after a day or two‚ pushing them at training to put in a bit extra‚ and trying to do game preparation more than a pre-season type of training.

‘Thabang Monare and Gift Motupa are struggling a bit. Mxolisi Macuphu got hijacked this week‚ and his car stolen‚ so I don’t know [if he can play].

‘Elias Pelembe hasn’t come back. The players who tested positive for Covid-19 have only had four days’ training. But we’ll have a team out.

‘Are we ready for Saturday? I would think we’re a week or two from being ready.

‘But will it be warm-up games? No – we have to just play straight away and try and see how long you can last. If you last 50‚ 60 minutes‚ obviously then your mental approach has to be good.’