Mamelodi Sundowns have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Betway Premiership showdown with Orlando Pirates this weekend, as midfield star Teboho Mokoena has been ruled out through suspension.
Mokoena, along with Miguel Reisinho, will both miss the highly anticipated encounter at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.
The absence of Bafana Bafana midfielder Mokoena is a significant setback for Sundowns, as he has enjoyed facing Pirates in recent seasons. The 28-year-old scored a crucial header in the MTN8 semi-final first leg at Orlando Stadium, and later netted a thunderous fourth goal when Sundowns thrashed Pirates 4-1 in February during last season’s second-round league fixture in Pretoria.
In total, Mokoena has scored three goals in 19 appearances against the Soweto giants throughout his career.
Reisinho, who recently joined Sundowns, will also be unavailable after receiving a red card in the Carling Knockout quarter-final defeat to Marumo Gallants, following a stamp on Siyabonga Nhlapo’s foot. This marks his first domestic suspension since joining the club.
Saturday’s clash pits the top three teams in the Betway Premiership against each other. Sundowns currently lead the table with 21 points from nine matches, three ahead of third-placed Pirates, who still have a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Pirates have not beaten Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld since January 2018, when Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Mpho Makola, and Luvuyo Memela were on the scoresheet in a 3–1 victory. Percy Tau scored the solitary goal for Sundowns that day.
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