Sundowns injury fears grow as Modiba, Mokoena and Aubaas struggle on Bafana duty

Mamelodi Sundowns are waiting to discover whether Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas will be fit for the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates on 10 October.

The three players were injured while representing Bafana Bafana during their opening two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches under new coach Pitso Mosimane.

Sundowns face Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban next weekend, with coach Miguel Cardoso now monitoring developments from South Africa’s camp in Cairo.

Modiba and Mokoena were injured during Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 victory over Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday and were unavailable for Wednesday’s second Group D fixture against Eritrea.

Aubaas then suffered another setback in the 5-0 win over Eritrea in neutral Cairo, Egypt, lasting only 12 minutes before being replaced by Durban City midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel.

Poggenpoel impressed on his debut, coming off the bench alongside Portugal-based Sphephelo Sithole.

Modiba, Mokoena and Aubaas are all doubts for Sunday’s friendly against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium. Should they remain unavailable, Sithole and Poggenpoel would be the only recognised defensive central midfielders left in Mosimane’s 30-player squad.

That will concern Sundowns, with Modiba and Mokoena regular starters and important performers for the club. Aubaas is generally used as a substitute.

“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 admitted Bafana Bafana had been weakened in central midfield, although Aubaas’ injury gave Poggenpoel the opportunity to make an impression.

“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 by two goals from Relebohile Mofokeng, scored in the 19th minute and a minute into first-half added time.

Sithole added a second-half goal, followed by strikes from Iqraam Rayners in the 63rd minute and substitute Luther Singh in the 94th.

Mosimane said the result strengthened South Africa’s position in Group D, with six points from two matches and an improved goal difference.

“We are happy with five goals and happy with the three points. Eritrea started strong and they hit the post early, their No 10 [Sulieman Ali] is very dangerous and we know he scores,” he said.

“He plays here in Egypt [for Al Masry] and scores a lot of goals; we had to look after him. We saw when Eritrea played against Kenya [in a 1-1 Group D draw on Saturday], they were leading and Kenya equalised late.

“So we had to give them the respect they deserved. I am happy we won the two games, we have six points and we scored and that is what is important.

“It was a good performance from our boys and they played proper football.”