Jody February ruled out of Siwelele’s clash with Mamelodi Sundowns

Siwelele FC goalkeeper Jody February will be unable to face parent club Mamelodi Sundowns in Wednesday evening’s Betway Premiership match because of a clause in his loan agreement.

The 30-year-old recently joined the Bloemfontein club from Sundowns on loan for the rest of the season, with Siwelele hoping his arrival would help resolve their problems in goal.

However, the terms of the deal prevent February from playing against the reigning league champions. His absence is a setback for Siwelele, who are still waiting for their first victory of the 2026/27 campaign.

They have taken only two points from their opening five matches, losing three and drawing two.

Siwelele might otherwise have considered putting February straight into the starting line-up after Samukelo Xulu’s costly errors in the club’s 3-2 defeat by Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.

The team have struggled to establish a settled goalkeeper since the beginning of the season. Botswana international Goitseone Phoko, who joined from Jwaneng Galaxy, has yet to fully adapt to his new surroundings, while Wandile Mthombeni is another option after moving from Casric Stars.

February’s arrival provides Siwelele with an experienced addition, even though he will have to watch from the sidelines against Sundowns. The Cape Town-born goalkeeper joined Sundowns from Ajax Cape Town, now known as Cape Town Spurs, in 2019.

His opportunities at Chloorkop have been limited, with much of his time at the club spent on loan. He has also played for Cape Umoya United, Moroka Swallows and AmaZulu FC while seeking consistent first-team football.

February has remained on the fringes at Sundowns in recent campaigns and did not make a single appearance last season. Overall, he has played only eight times for the Tshwane club since joining the CAF Champions League holders.

His move to Siwelele also comes after Ricardo Goss returned to Sundowns. Goss spent last season on loan at Siwelele before going back to Chloorkop at the end of the campaign.

Siwelele begin without Seema

Wednesday’s fixture will be Siwelele’s first match since the club parted company with Lehlohonolo Seema.

Seema’s tenure ended after the defeat by Kaizer Chiefs, following a difficult opening to the new season. The club have since promoted reserve-team coach Godfrey Mosoetsa to lead the senior side on an interim basis.

Mosoetsa’s first assignment will be against Sundowns, who are the reigning African champions as well as the domestic league holders.

The interim coach takes charge with Siwelele desperate to halt a five-match winless run. But with February unavailable because of the agreement with his parent club, the Bloemfontein side will have to rely on one of their other goalkeeping options as they attempt to produce an upset against Sundowns.