Mamelodi Sundowns missing key players in Pirates clash

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Bafana Bafana stars will be absent when they face Orlando Pirates, they will miss Themba Zwane.

Sundowns’ Rhulani Mokwena confirms the developments to the media as they prepare to face Pirates on Saturday.

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The likes of Bafana stars such as Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, Thapelo Maseko, Ronwen Williams, and Zwane will not face Pirates.

Speaking to the media at Chloorkop on Thursday, Sundowns coach Mokena says his Bafana stars have some knocks from the Afcon tournament.

WHY MAMELODI SUNDOWNS COACH WILL MISS BAFANA STARS VS. PIRATES

The 37-year-old Sundowns mentor adds that the knocks might delay the return of Bafana stars such as Zwane.

“We have a couple of concerns. We got a few players that returned with injuries,” Sundowns coach says about Bafana stars like Zwane.

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“And that might delay their return because now we have to deal with that. They played 30 games in five months for Sundowns.

“And you put maybe an extra four or five games for the World Cup qualifiers and the friendlies that Bafana played during the Fifa break.

“So, we are talking about 35 or 36 games in five months; plus the seven [at Afcon], you go to 42 games.

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“They have to start now with the rehabilitation phase, but also the regeneration phase.

“Because they have to flush out the stress and the pressure of a tournament of that magnitude.”

The Masandawana stars were in action for Bafana in Ivory Coast where they finished third and clinched a bronze medal – they will not face Pirates.

According to Sowetan, Sundowns star defenders Grant Kekana and Terence Mashego are the only Bafana stars who trained.

MOKWENA CONFIDENT SUNDOWNS CAN STILL BEAT PIRATES

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Coming back to matters on the field of play, the former Pirates manager, says Sundowns still have to do the job at Loftus Versfeld.

.“We know how difficult the game is going to be,” adds the Sundowns coach about Pirates and Bafana stars.

“It’s always difficult after such a long period for us.

“But, we got a very good squad. We have a lot of good players in every position.”