Sekhukhune United face double defensive blow for Orlando Pirates semi-final

Sekhukhune United head coach Cedric Kaze has confirmed that both of his first-choice full-backs will miss Saturday’s MTN8 semi-final first leg against Orlando Pirates.

Left-back Vuyo Letlapa has not recovered from the injury he suffered against Kaizer Chiefs, while right-back Tsepho Mashiloane is also unavailable. Mashiloane is on loan from Orlando Pirates and, according to Kaze, a clause in his agreement prevents him from facing his parent club.

The two teams meet at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, with Sekhukhune United hosting the defending champions in the opening match of the semi-final.

Kaze acknowledged the importance of Letlapa and Mashiloane to his team but said the rest of the squad must respond to the situation and take responsibility in their absence.

“Vuyo has not trained since he got injured against Kaizer Chiefs, so on Saturday we will be without him and Tsepho Mashiloane, I think there’s a clause not allowing him to play,” he said.

“It’s a very big loss for a player who has been important for us since the start of the season, our players we have need to be able to compete and embrace this challenge.”

The absence of both starting full-backs leaves Sekhukhune United facing a significant selection issue before a demanding sequence of fixtures against Orlando Pirates.

After Saturday’s MTN8 meeting, the clubs will face each other again in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday. They will then meet for the second leg of the cup semi-final the following Saturday, with that match taking place at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

The league fixture will also be played at the Orlando Amstel Arena, meaning the two sides are scheduled to meet three times in the space of a short period.

Sekhukhune United therefore begin the semi-final without two players who have been regular choices in the team’s full-back positions. Letlapa has been ruled out because of the injury sustained against Kaizer Chiefs, while Mashiloane cannot play against the club that has loaned him to Sekhukhune United.

Kaze’s comments confirm that neither player will be available for the first leg, leaving his squad to cope with the double setback before taking on the MTN8 holders.

The first leg at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium will be followed by the league encounter at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday, before Orlando Pirates host Sekhukhune United again in the return semi-final on Saturday.