As they look to close 2022 with a win, Mamelodi Sundowns will face Orlando Pirates and will be boosted by the return of their key players.
Striker Peter Shalulile is in contention of facing the Buccaneers at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in the DStv Premiership on Friday afternoon.
The Namibian star has been a notable absentee in the Sundowns starting line-up as he was sidelined since October while nursing a muscle injury, but he has fully recovered and is available for selection.
In his absence, youngster Cassius Mailula got an opportunity and repaid the faith in him from coach Rulani Mokwena with fine displays and netted three goals, and chipped in with one assist in the league.
“He [Shalulile] is one week on the green grass with the team – the protocol is first to return to training and then availability for selection,” Mokwena said.
“He has only gone past the first stage of rehabilitation. We will see what happens. Everything always depends on the individual and how the player’s physiological reaction to the medical treatment goes.
“He has not played any friendly matches yet but he has now taken part in the training. He is not out of selection but we will wait for the medical green light and take it from there.”
Speaking to the media, defender Grant Kekana admitted it is always tough against improved Buccaneers who are gunning for revenge since losing 4-0 in the Carling Black Label Cup.
“As the years go, teams also improve and Pirates have been in that transition where they have been getting a lot more quality players and they are a lot more motivated now,” he said.
“It is always a tough fixture but at the same time an entertaining one. We [the players] always love playing these games.
“Also it is good for the fans because of the rivalry between the two teams. We are well prepared and it is going to be a tough match.
“You can never tell how the game is going to pan out because we [Sundowns and Pirates] both always bring our ‘A’ game to the match. In that last MTN8 meeting in Polokwane, we shot ourselves in the foot and the coaches made us aware of that.
“Every game we play against them we rectify the mistakes we have gladly done in anticipation of this one, which is going to be difficult for both teams.”
With the Black Label win seen as a friendly, Sundowns will be looking to bag their first competitive win of the season over Pirates.
The Brazilians were humiliated via a 3-0 defeat in the MTN8 semi-final and coach Jose Riveiro’s new-look Pirates, went on to beat AmaZulu 1-0 in the final.
Main Image: Peter Shalulile/Twitter
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