Pitso Mosimane has confirmed that Mamelodi Sundowns will be without Phakamani Mahlambi and Andile Jali for their upcoming Absa Premiership clash against AmaZulu on Tuesday.
The Brazilians were recently knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by Chippa United following their 2-1 defeat on Saturday.
Mahlambi, who got his name on the scoresheet in that game, picked up a foot injury and now joins the likes of Jali (dead leg) and Thapelo Morena (recovering from the flu) on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Wayne Arendse is still recovering from his calf strain, while Thela Ngobeni continues to nurse his groin.
All these injuries will certainly impact Mosimane’s starting lineup for their upcoming Absa Premiership clash against AmaZulu at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday, before they turn their attention to the Caf Champions where they will take on Ivorian outfit Asec Mimosas in their group stage game on Friday.
‘You can’t not rest the players, because if you don’t look after them, let’s say that Hlompho Kekana pulls a hamstring and Tiyani Mabunda is still out, then you’ll have nothing,‘ Mosimane told the media.
‘Ricardo Nascimento has a groin that gives him trouble. Thapelo had flu. Lebogang Maboe had to rest against Chippa, he’s been playing all the games. You can’t put all your eggs in one basket. You also have to trust the other players. We trusted Sphelele Mkhulise and he did very well, what a player. We trusted Lucky Mohomi and he did well. Rivaldo Coetzee came on for Ricardo and he did exceptionally well.’
Although Sundowns got eliminated from the Nedbank Cup, Mosimane is relieved to have lightened his fixture load between the Absa Premiership and Caf Champions League.
‘We’ve got the league on Tuesday,’ he added. ‘We’ve got the games in hand that we must finish. And on Friday, which is just now, we are playing the top team from Abidjan. That game is a must win, just like the Wydad Casablanca match.
‘Tuesday is also a must win. It’s going to be tough. We’ve been handling it well.’
The match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium kicks off at 7:30pm.
Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns website
