Defending Absa Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns have confirmed a number of injuries following the Fifa international break.

The Brazilians have been hit with an injury plague during the Fifa international break that has left a number of their key players sidelined ahead of their derby clash against SuperSport United on Sunday.

The likes of captain Hlompho Kekana, Denis Onyango, Tiyani Mabunda and Themba Zwane have all returned from international duty still recovering from their respective injuries.

However, the break afforded Andile Jali the time to recover after he was recently forced off the field with a hamstring injury in Sundowns’ goalless draw with Orlando Pirates.

The Brazilians released the following update on their respective injuries:

‘The international break left Mamelodi Sundowns with a number of casualties, including captain Hlompho Kekana and Uganda’s No 1, Dennis Onyango. Kekana will be assessed on Friday for the contusion he has. Luckily there was no swelling and the skipper was rested on Thursday.

‘Onyango was also rested upon his return from national team duty in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The goalkeeper had tenderness in his abductor. Themba Zwane has a similar injury after featuring for Bafana Bafana in the 1-1 draw with Nigeria. He managed to complete a full training session on Thursday. Tiyani Mabunda was rested for that session due to a strain on his knee. He will also be assessed on Friday.

‘The quartet joined six other players who are being nursed by the Brazilians’ medics. Andile Jali has recovered from the hamstring that saw him fail to finish Sundowns’ goalless draw with Orlando Pirates. He is continuing with treatment. Ricardo Nascimento has a strain on his left hip reflectors.

‘Oupa Manyisa [knee], Anele Ngcongca [Achilles tendon] and Thapelo Morena [calf tightness] will also be assessed on Friday while Jeremy Brockie has a laceration on his big toe. These players should be fit and ready when the Brazilians resume their Absa Premiership title defence after the weekend’s Telkom Knockout semi-finals.’

Mamelodi Sundowns will now turn their attention to the Absa Premiership when they take on Tshwane rivals SuperSport United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday with kick-off set for 3:30pm.

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