TS Galaxy lose goalkeeper Gift Maseti for Mamelodi Sundowns clash

TS Galaxy will be without goalkeeper Gift Maseti for this evening’s meeting with African champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Mbombela Stadium after he was suspended for a straight red card in their opening league match.

Galaxy began their campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Siwelele FC, but their attempt to secure a first league victory will now be made without Maseti, who is unavailable for the crucial fixture.

The South African goalkeeper was sent off after accidentally handling the ball outside the 18-yard area. Maseti had reportedly mistaken the lime line on the pitch for the edge of the penalty area before picking up the ball.

His dismissal has resulted in a two-match suspension, leaving TS Galaxy to choose between Ira Tape and Kayonde Bankole as his replacement between the posts against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The absence of Maseti represents a further challenge for Galaxy as they prepare to face the African champions. They will need to respond to the setback from the opening match while also trying to prevent Mamelodi Sundowns from taking control of the contest at Mbombela Stadium.

Galaxy’s first league fixture produced four goals and an entertaining draw, but the side will be seeking a more positive result this time as they target their first maximum points of the season. Their task will be made more difficult by the loss of their established goalkeeper for the first of his two suspended matches.

Maseti’s suspension is not the only disciplinary issue affecting a South African club this week.

Durban City will be without midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel for Wednesday evening’s KwaZulu-Natal derby against Lamontville Golden Arrows. The 26-year-old was shown a red card during Durban City’s MTN8 quarter-final defeat by Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

Poggenpoel’s absence means Durban City must also make a change to their midfield for a derby that comes shortly after their cup exit. Like TS Galaxy, they will have to manage the consequences of a sending-off while preparing for an important domestic fixture.

The two-match suspension issued to Maseti follows an unusual incident in the opening league match, with the goalkeeper’s attempt to intervene outside the penalty area ending in his dismissal. TS Galaxy must now rely on either Tape or Bankole as they face Mamelodi Sundowns.

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