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JOHANNESBURG. — Mamelodi Sundowns will be without their hotshot Zimbabwean forwards — Cuthbert Malajila and Khama Billiat — for their Absa Premiership tie against Orlando Pirates tonight. Another striker, Katlego Mashego, will be sidelined for at least six weeks with a groin injury.
Mashego sustained the knock when shooting seven minutes into a 1-0 win over Ajax Cape Town in the Nedbank Cup last Friday.
‘Mahoota’ was stretchered off, with his replacement Rodney Ramagalela going on to score a superb 60th minute winner at Athlone Stadium.
Zimbabwe international Billiat is suspended for the clash with Orlando Pirates.
Billiat will sit out the Bucs rematch after harshly receiving his fourth booking against the Urban Warriors.
Malajila is also out for a minimum of three weeks with a hamstring complaint, picked up in the 1-0 defeat of Pirates in the Premiership on 8 February.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says that despite the Brazilians having the best players in the League they still need to work to be successful.
Downs, who last claimed honours in the 2008 Nedbank Cup, are through to the last-16 of the competition this year, while they are second in the Premiership standings — nine points behind pacesetting champions Kaizer Chiefs.
“You can see we are fighting,” Mosimane said.
“We are stressed at Sundowns. We might have the players, but you don’t buy success. It’s not easy, Roger (de Sa) can tell you. The pressure on us coaches is unbelievable.“We are trying our best to try and return this team to the glory days.
“You know I have glory days before me, and I have to match that.
“It’s our fourth win in a row.
“I am trying my best, I’m not a magician, I’ll do my best.” — KickOff
Online Reporter