INJURED MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PLAYERS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR BAFANA BAFANA COACH HUGO BROOS

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos admits he is concerned by the high number of injuries sustained by Mamelodi Sundowns players this season.

Broos’ side are currently in preparations for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

As many as six Sundowns players are potential doubts for the games, after they linked up with their international teammates while carrying knocks.

Grant Kekana has already been withdrawn by Broos with a hamstring injury and replaced by Kaizer Chiefs defender Given Msimango.

Khuliso Mudau, meanwhile, has a slight shoulder strain, while Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas are all not at 100 per cent but are still expected to feature for Bafana.

Broos said in the Citizen: “It is amazing that six injured players are from the same team.

“Sundowns have had many injuries this season and everyone knows one of the reasons is that they have an overloaded programme, they have played a lot of games. But what is interesting is that 75 percent of these injuries are groin and hamstring injuries.

“So I think it has to be something more than that. I hope the medical staff of Sundowns can find a reason for this, because next season it will be the same.

“They will have the same programme, the PSL, the MTN8, the Champions League, even the Club World Cup at the end of the season.

“I am a bit worried because in September, October and November we have AFCON qualifiers. Imagine if the situation is the same as it is today, and I have six Sundowns players injured.

“The core of Bafana is Sundowns players. I really hope the medical staff can find the problem. It is the same injuries coming back every time.”

Bafana jet off to Nigeria on Wednesday morning for Friday’s qualifier against the Super Eagles.

They face the Warriors at the Free State Stadium on June 11.