Rulani Mokwena has given an extensive injury update on his squad, with at least eight players still sidelined for the massive CAF Champions League clash with Al Ahly on Saturday.
The DStv Premiership champions host the record ten-time African champions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, in one of the most highly expected games on the African football calendar.
Sundowns enter the game with seven points on the log, while Al Ahly has only picked up four so far – with both teams drawing the game in Cairo 2-2.
A home win would see Downs secure qualification for the knockout stages, while a win for Al Ahly, which would be their first in 14 games on South African soil, would throw the group wide open.
Mokwena says he has an overall fairly healthy squad, but several players remain sidelined for the 2016 champions, who are targeting to add a second CAFCL trophy this season.
“We have a very healthy squad at the moment,” he said.
“Still [Sphelele] Mkhulise picked up a knock in Cairo, so should still be out for quite some time.
“Bongani Zungu picked up a knock against Marumo Gallants, so also still out for maybe another two weeks or so, not something too serious fortunately.
“Lebo Maboe is still a long-term absentee. Nasir [Abubeker] is a long-term absentee but they are back both on the pitch, even though still doing isolated training.
“Lesedi Kapinga picked up an injury a couple of weeks ago, although he’s back on the green grass. Rushine [de Reuck] picked up a concussion and also pulled something – it’s a complicated injury with Rush’, but the medical department profiles it better than me. We should expect him out for quite some time.
“There’s a couple of late fitness tests for a couple of people because of the load over the last couple of weeks. We have to manage the situation with Mosa [Lebusa], and we have to manage the situation with Rivaldo [Coetzee].
“[Erwin] Saavedra is back on the training pitch, he started training with the group but still not completing full training.
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“Gift Motupa picked up an injury in Cameroon, so he’s out. Kutu has got a family situation that will make him miss this game, not injury.”