Sundowns face injury concerns before MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso is waiting for updates on Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas after all three suffered injuries while on duty with Bafana Bafana.

Sundowns will meet Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on October 10, with the club now monitoring the condition of three important midfield and defensive options.

Modiba and Mokoena were injured during Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 victory over Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday and subsequently missed Wednesday night’s second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Eritrea.

The injury concerns increased in Cairo, Egypt, where Bafana Bafana won 5-0 on a neutral venue. Aubaas played for only 12 minutes before being forced off and was replaced by Durban City midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel.

Poggenpoel impressed on his international debut, playing alongside Portugal-based Sphephelo Sithole. Modiba, Mokoena and Aubaas are all doubts for Sunday’s friendly against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium.

Should none of them recover in time, coach Pitso Mosimane will have only Sithole and Poggenpoel as recognised defensive central midfielders in his 30-player squad. That situation will be of particular interest to Cardoso, given that Modiba and Mokoena are regular starters for Sundowns, while Aubaas is usually used from the bench.

“Aubaas is one unfortunate player,” Mosimane said after the win over Eritrea.

“He missed the World Cup because of injury. He was ready to come on and play but he broke down again [early against Eritrea] and he was crying in the dressing room.

“We are here to support and give him the confidence because he is a good football player. This was his chance to play again after he missed the World Cup.

“But he will soon be back in the national team because we have patience for him.”

Mosimane acknowledged the shortage of central midfielders but said it had created an opportunity for Poggenpoel, who was introduced as a replacement for Aubaas.

“With Teboho and Aubaas, we are losing a lot of players in the midfield but it also gave Brooklyn a chance and he played very well. He played like he has been playing all the time,” he said.

“We are a bit thin for the Egypt match with central midfielders but we brought in Themba Zwane [as a 79th-minute substitute for Sithole against Eritrea]. I wanted to take out Sithole because we don’t have Teboho, Thalenthe Mbatha, the late Jayden Adams and Aubaas it is unfortunate for us.”

Bafana Bafana’s emphatic victory was secured through two goals from Relebohile Mofokeng, in the 19th minute and first-half added time. Sithole scored in the second minute of the second half, before Iqraam Rayners and substitute Luther Singh completed the win in the 63rd and 94th minutes.

Oswin Appollis provided two assists, while Mosimane praised his versatility and the team’s performance. The result gives Bafana Bafana six points from two Group D matches and a strong goal difference.

“We are happy with five goals and happy with the three points,” Mosimane said. “It was a good performance from our boys and they played proper football.”