Mamelodi Sundowns face Kaizer Chiefs test with Teboho Mokoena a major doubt

Mamelodi Sundowns could be without Teboho Mokoena for their important meeting with Kaizer Chiefs, leaving the club facing a significant midfield decision before the clash with the Glamour Boys.

The Bafana Bafana anchorman is a doubt after assistant coach Fabio Fernandes reportedly posted images appearing to show a significant wound on Mokoena’s ankle. His availability was already under scrutiny after he missed Sundowns’ 3-2 league victory over TS Galaxy on Tuesday.

The midfielder’s possible absence has increased attention on how Sundowns perform in high-profile matches without one of their most influential players. Over the past three seasons, their results without Mokoena in major games have offered contrasting evidence.

Sundowns demonstrated that they could cope without him earlier in the 2024/25 season, when they defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-1. Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Iqraam Rayners scored the goals that secured victory in that encounter.

However, Mokoena’s absence was far more damaging in the 2023/24 CAF Champions League semi-final. Sundowns suffered consecutive 1-0 defeats, results that brought their continental campaign to an end and left no doubt about the difficulty of replacing his contribution in a match of that magnitude.

Those opposing outcomes form the central question ahead of the latest meeting between Sundowns and Chiefs: which version of the side will appear if Mokoena is ruled out?

The technical staff at Chloorkop would need to construct a midfield capable of matching not only the quality that Mokoena provides, but also the leadership associated with his role. His influence extends beyond his involvement in possession and defensive work, with Sundowns also having to compensate for the authority he brings to important contests.

There is evidence to suggest the club can still win without him. The 2-1 success against Chiefs in the 2024/25 season provides a direct example, while Tuesday’s victory over TS Galaxy came with Mokoena absent from the squad.

Yet the larger concern is whether Sundowns can reproduce that success consistently when the pressure is greatest. Their two 1-0 losses in the CAF Champions League semi-final remain a reminder that replacing Mokoena in decisive fixtures has not been fully proven.

The injury concern therefore places added responsibility on the rest of the midfield and on the coaching staff’s selection. Sundowns have already shown they are capable of overcoming his absence, but the Kaizer Chiefs fixture will provide another demanding test of whether they can do so in one of the matches that matters most.

For now, Mokoena’s availability remains uncertain. If he cannot recover in time, Sundowns will have to find a combination that can deliver both control and leadership against the Glamour Boys.