Mamelodi Sundowns have been dealt a crushing double blow in their quest to defend the title. Advantage Orlando Pirates?
Sundowns get bad news on the injury front
Talented 28-year-old utility star Rivaldo Coetzee was injured against Cape Town City last time out and manager Manqoba Mngqithi has confirmed that it’s serious.
“Rivaldo Coetzee’s injury is serious, he will probably be out for four weeks if not more, it’s an ACL,” Mngqithi said as per GOAL.
“He has to go for an operation I think this coming week. But it is a bad one.
“We hope he will come back when we need him the most in the later stages of the season,” he said.
Mshishi is already out long-term
Sundowns playmaker and fan-favourite Themba Zwane is currently laid low with an achilles issue. The 35-year-old was injured for Bafana Bafana in Brazzaville against Congo. This is what physician Dr. Ntlopi Mogoru said:
“I don’t know if he’s had this type of injury before but with his age, it is going to be a big issue. If it is a grade one or two, he may need to rest for the next six weeks to two months,” via Times LIVE.
“Anything up to grade four will need an operation because they must stitch the tendon to facilitate the healing process. There you are looking at up to four to six months, including rehabilitation. If it’s grade one or two, it will be six weeks to two months because they will need to rest the leg for a particular period in the moon boot to keep the fibres together,” he said.
Orlando Pirates are ready to capitalize
Jose Riveiro’s men have three league encounters to prepare for in the next month and they’ve also got two tasty Caf Champions League clashes on the horizon. The visit of African champions Al Ahly on 06 December is one to get in the diary. There’s also the prospect of a meeting with Bafana and former Cape Town City striker Khanyisa Mayo when Pirates go North to face Belouizdad of Algeria on 26 November.
- Belouizdad vs Pirates: Tue, 26 November, kickoff time TBC
- Pirates vs Stellenbosch: Sat, 30 November, 15:30
- Gallants vs Pirates: Tue, 03 December, 19:30
- Pirates vs Al Ahly: Fri, 06 December, kickoff time TBC
- Pirates vs Golden Arrows: Tue, 10 December, 19:30
Will Sundowns be able to cope without these two key operators for a prolonged period?
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