Mamelodi Sundowns have explained why new striker Abubeker Nassir is among six players absent from Saturday’s clash against Sekhukhune United.
The defending DStv Premiership champions will face Babina Noko at 15:00 and made just one change to their starting line-up in comparison to their team that faced Kaizer Chiefs.
Andile Jali dropped to the bench for Sphelele Mkhulise, who makes his first start of the campaign.
However, another talking point was Nassir’s absence from the match-day squad after his fine performance off the bench against Amakhosi that saw him open his Downs account with a fine solo goal.
Co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi explained that Nassir picked up an injury in Downs’ final attack against Chiefs and is sidelined with an ankle injury.
“It was unfortunate. He sustained a grade one strain in his ankle in that last attack [against Chiefs], where he was trying to take on the defender and unfortunately his foot got into injured,” Mngqithi said on SuperSport TV.
“It was unfortunate to lose him but we are confident that he’ll be with us very soon.”
This week, though, Nassir is among six players that are absent from the squad, without the club detailing the reasons.
Nassir is joined on the sidelines by Grant Kekana, Rivaldo Coetzee, Lebohang Maboe, Erwin Saavedra, who are all yet to feature this campaign as well as Hashim Domingo, who has made two appearances this campaign so far.
