Orlando Pirates supporters have reacted with frustration to reports that several Mamelodi Sundowns players will miss Bafana Bafana’s upcoming clash against Egypt, with the MTN8 final now looming on the horizon.
The two Soweto rivals are scheduled to meet in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 10 October, making the fitness of key players a major talking point during the international break.
Sundowns Hit by Injuries During International Duty
Sundowns supplied 13 players to Pitso Mosimane’s 30-man Bafana Bafana squad for the matches against Guinea, Eritrea and Egypt.
However, the club’s large representation has been affected by injuries since the squad assembled.
Aubrey Modiba was forced to leave the field with a hamstring problem during Bafana’s match against Guinea.
Reports have subsequently indicated that midfielders Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas have also suffered injuries and will not feature against Egypt.
“The midfield will be the biggest challenge for Mosimane as Bathusi Aubaas and Teboho Mokoena are out with injuries and will play no part on Sunday,” Soccerbeat reported.
Timing Fuels Suspicion Among Pirates Fans
The timing of the reported injuries has sparked debate among sections of the Pirates fanbase, particularly because the players could otherwise have been involved in another international fixture before the MTN8 final.
Some supporters have questioned whether Mokoena and Aubaas are genuinely injured or whether Sundowns could be protecting important players ahead of the domestic cup final.
There is, however, no confirmed evidence that either player is being deliberately rested for the MTN8 final rather than being unavailable because of injury.
Pirates Also Face International Workload
The reaction from Pirates supporters is partly linked to the contrasting demands facing the two teams during the international break.
Pirates also have seven players in the Bafana Bafana squad, meaning several of their important players could potentially be involved in three international matches before returning to club duty.
Sundowns, by contrast, could now have some of their key players unavailable for the Egypt encounter because of injury, potentially reducing their workload before the highly anticipated final.
Supporters Voice Their Frustration Online
The reports have prompted strong reactions on social media, with some Pirates supporters openly questioning the circumstances surrounding the injuries.
One supporter, @BlaqSabali, wrote: “Sundowns is a team of scammers. you can’t convince me otherwise.”
Another, @LordKambala, questioned the timing of the developments, writing: “There’s no injuries here, Pitso think we’re fools.”
Other supporters also suggested that Sundowns could be looking ahead to the MTN8 final.
@tillity50542 wrote: “Some are rested for the MTN8 phela Pitso is a Sindown fan, he said it that his blood is yellow.”
Meanwhile, @Real_Skilashi96 posted: “Lol, so they actually are saving them for the 10th? Nah Sundowns and Pitso can do better man.”
Injury Details Could Settle the Debate
With the MTN8 final less than two weeks away, speculation surrounding the Sundowns players is unlikely to disappear until further details emerge regarding the severity of their injuries.
For now, the available reports indicate that Mokoena and Aubaas will miss the Egypt match because of injury, while Modiba is also dealing with a hamstring problem.
Whether any of the players will recover in time for the 10 October showdown at Moses Mabhida Stadium remains a key question as both clubs prepare for the final.
