Mamelodi Sundowns are waiting for updates on Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas after all three picked up injuries while on duty with South Africa, leaving their availability for the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates in doubt.
The teams meet at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 10 October, with Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso particularly concerned because Modiba and Mokoena are regular starters, while Aubaas is an important option from the bench.
Modiba and Mokoena were injured during Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 win over Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday and subsequently missed the second match of Pitso Mosimane’s first international period in charge.
South Africa recorded another victory on Wednesday, beating Eritrea 5-0 in Cairo, Egypt, in a neutral-site Group D qualifier for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. However, Aubaas lasted just 12 minutes before being forced off.
Durban City midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel replaced him and impressed on his debut, while Portugal-based Sphephelo Sithole also played in central midfield.
Modiba, Mokoena and Aubaas are doubtful for Sunday’s friendly against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium. Should they fail to recover, Sithole and Poggenpoel would be the only recognised defensive central midfielders left in Mosimane’s 30-player squad.
Mosimane said Aubaas had been particularly unfortunate after another injury setback.
“Aubaas is one unfortunate player,” he said after the win against 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.”
The injuries have left South Africa short of options in central midfield, although they gave Poggenpoel the opportunity to make his debut.
“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,” Mosimane added.
“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.”
South Africa’s emphatic result moved them to six points at the top of Group D and strengthened their goal difference.
Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice, in the 19th minute and first-half stoppage time, before Sithole, Iqraam Rayners and substitute Luther Singh completed the scoring.
Mosimane was pleased with both the result and the performance.
“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 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.”
