Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana believes it will be difficult to cope on the field without any supporters cheering them on in the stands.

The Brazilians will resume their 2019-20 campaign in their Nedbank Cup semi-final clash with Bidvest Wits at the Orlando Stadium on 8 August, before taking on Orlando Pirates in their Absa Premiership clash at Dobsonville Stadium three days later.

Both Sundowns’ Nedbank Cup and Absa Premiership fixtures will be played behind closed doors as a strict measure to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

However, Kekana admits that the absence of the twelfth man will be felt but urges his side to make sure they play every game for the club’s faithful.

‘It is going to be difficult and we won’t cope playing without the fans,’ Kekana told his club’s official website.

‘The atmosphere that the fans bring during game day is always electrifying. The beating of the drums and dancing with the fans after the game is always a scene that creates a mood and it is heartbreaking that it will not be there as we resume football, but the boys are aware of what is at stake.

‘We going to represent the fans very well as their absence will be felt and we must make sure that every game we play we play for the supporters so that they can feel our presence,’ concluded Kekana.