Orlando Pirates fans have expressed their frustration after learning that several Mamelodi Sundowns players will miss Bafana Bafana’s upcoming match against Egypt.
Pitso Mosimane selected 13 Sundowns players in his 30-man squad for the matches against Guinea, Eritrea and Egypt.
However, the Sundowns contingent has been hit by injuries during the international break.
Aubrey Modiba was forced off with a hamstring problem during Bafana’s match against Guinea, while Soccerbeat reported on Friday that Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas had also picked up injuries and would play no part 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,” the report stated.
Pirates fans not buying Mokoena and Aubaas’s injury at Bafana
The news has not gone down well with some Orlando Pirates supporters, particularly with the two Soweto giants set to meet Sundowns in the MTN8 final on 10 October at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Some Pirates fans on X have questioned whether the injuries to the Sundowns players are genuine, suggesting that the players could instead be being protected ahead of the eagerly anticipated cup final.
There is, however, no confirmed evidence that Sundowns players are being rested for the MTN8 final rather than genuinely injured.
The frustration among Pirates supporters stems from the perceived difference in workload between the two teams. Pirates also have several players in the Bafana squad, meaning their key stars could potentially feature in three international matches before returning for the MTN8 final.
Sundowns, meanwhile, could have several of their important players unavailable for the Egypt match because of injury, potentially reducing their workload before the clash with Pirates.
One Pirates supporter, @BlaqSabali, wrote: “Sundowns is a team of scammers. you can’t convince me otherwise.”
Another, @LordKambala, questioned the timing of the injuries, writing: “There’s no injuries here, Pitso think we’re fools.”
Pirates have seven players in Bafana squad
@tillity50542 suggested that some players could be being protected for the final, writing: “Some are rested for the MTN8 phela Pitso is a Sindown fan, he said it that his blood is yellow.”
And @Real_Skilashi96 wrote: “Lol, so they actually are saving them for the 10th? Nah Sundowns and Pitso can do better man.”
The speculation is likely to continue until more information is provided about the extent of the players’ injuries and their availability for the MTN8 final.