Mamelodi Sundowns have suffered another huge blow with midfielder Rivaldo Coetzee ruled out of action for a lengthy period due to an injury.
Coetzee has joined Themba Zwane on the treatment table after sustaining a knee injury during the Betway Premiership match against Royal AM about a fortnight ago.
Zwane is set to be out of action for four months having picked up an Achilles injury during the 2025 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier match against Congo-Brazzaville in October.
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Masandawana head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has confirmed that Coetzee is set for operation on his knee injury and could be out of action for the rest of the year.
"The Riva one is a serious injury, probably four weeks, if not more," said a visibly exasperated Mngqithi during a post-match press conference at Loftus Versfeld Stadium after the 2-0 win over Polokwane City on Wednesday.
"He has to go for an operation, I think this coming week.
"It's a bad one, but we hope he will be back when we need him most at a later stage of the season," he continued.
Injury has been Coetzee's worst nightmare since he made it as a professional footballer, having previously had a move to Scottish giants Glasgow Celtic fall through at the last minute due to a failed medical, before being snapped up by the Brazilians back in 2017.
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Mngqithi will be hoping the former Ajax Cape Town man's latest setback is not as serious as initially thought, and that he will be back sooner rather than later.
Sundowns are set to travel to travel to Bloemfontein to face Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout semi-finals on Sunday.