Mamelodi Sundowns Face Injury Crisis Ahead of MTN8 Final Against Orlando Pirates
- Mamelodi Sundowns confirmed three players returned from AFCON 2027 qualifying duty with injuries, adding to an already stretched squad
- Bathusi Aubaas left the field early during the Eritrea game in Cairo and is not expected to be fit for the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium
- Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba are also racing against time, with Modiba's availability for the cup final described as uncertain
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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is navigating a mounting injury crisis ahead of the MTN8 final, with the club's injury list growing following the latest round of AFCON 2027 qualifying fixtures.
The 15-time Premier Soccer League champions were already dealing with significant absences before the international break. Defender Khuliso Mudau ruptured his Achilles tendon during the August victory over Marumo Gallants and is not expected back until February 2025. Keanu Cupido remains sidelined after shoulder surgery, with a return pencilled in for November, while Grant Kekana continues to work back from a quadriceps strain.
**Three Players Hurt on International Duty**
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The situation worsened when three Sundowns players picked up injuries while representing Bafana Bafana in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. Aubrey Modiba reported a tight hamstring following the win over Guinea in September. Teboho Mokoena sat out the Eritrea fixture with an unspecified injury, and his replacement, Bathusi Aubaas, was forced off the field early in Cairo.
Initial reports suggest Aubaas will not be cleared in time to feature in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
**Race Against Time for Mokoena and Modiba**
There is some encouragement regarding Mokoena's condition, with reports indicating his injury may be less severe than initially feared. He is reportedly in a race against time to be available for the final against Orlando Pirates.
Modiba's timeline remains less certain. Some sources suggest the left-back could also miss the showpiece, which would be a significant blow given that both he and Mokoena are regular starters in Sundowns' defensive and midfield structure.
All three players are also unlikely to be considered for Bafana Bafana's upcoming friendly against Egypt in Cairo on 4 October, with the priority being their recovery ahead of the cup final.
Cardoso now faces a stern test of squad depth, needing to reconfigure his defensive line without several key personnel. The MTN8 final against the Buccaneers will serve as a measure of whether Sundowns have the resources to absorb such disruption and still compete for silverware.
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Source: Briefly News
