Mamelodi Sundowns will definitely be without one new signing against Orlando Pirates while the other fellow new recruit could also watch from the sidelines.
Sundowns were set to re-open their DStv Premiership season against Golden Arrows on Wednesday but the midweek fixtures were postponed by the PSL in support of Bafana Bafana, who are set to arrive back in the country on the same day.
Masandawana will then have to restart with a massive clash against Pirates on Saturday evening at Loftus Versfeld.
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Masandawana could be without their ten players who were with Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations, as they are set to be given a break before getting back to their club duties.
And so new signings were going to come handy against the Soweto giants, however, Tashreeq Matthews, who was signed from Swedish side IK Sirius will not feature, as he was signed carrying an injury.
"Tash (Tashreeq) is going to take a little bit longer than the others. He has come with a minor complication," Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena confirmed on Radio 2000's Game On.
"But it's the same medical team that worked on Rivaldo (Coeztee) on a more serious and severe situation than Tash, so we have to be a little bit more patient as we gradually integrate Tash and also try to keep in conversation with the medical team in his previous clubs," he said.
Another new signing Matias Esquivel, who was signed for a reported ($2,5 million) R46,7 million from Argentinian club Lanus, may also not feature, given the high profile nature of the fixture against the Buccaneers, as he is still being integrated.
Mokwena went on and also confirmed that Esquivel may also not be ready yet to hit the ground running, especially as South Americans take time to adjust to the new environment.
"South Americans are a little bit delicate, and take a little bit of time," Mokwena said.
"Esquivel will come, he's a top player, he's adapting well but he's got a bit of work to do from a tactical perspective in adapting to a completely different way of playing compared to Lanus, with the roles a little bit different but he's a top footballer," he added.
However, the other new Sundowns signings, Thembinkosi Lorch, signed from the Sea Robbers and Zuko Mdunyelwa from Chippa United are ready to compete.
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