Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango will miss tonight’s encounter as Mamelodi Sundowns play host to Golden Arrows.
Onyango has been ruled out due to a quad injury while Thapelo Morena is sidelined with a hamstring, Sundowns has reported.
The injuries come at a critical time as Pitso Mosimane’s side enter the final five fixtures of the PSL with the Brazilians seated six points adrift of leaders Kaizer Chiefs on 53.
Onyango has received negative comments from the fans with his off form coinciding with that of the club that has not won a game since league restart.
Sundowns have drawn three and lost against Cape Town in PSL so far in August.
Onyango, missing out on tonight’s encounter at Dobonsville Stadium has garnered mixed reactions on social media.
“Let him rest a bit. He made errors in our last encounters, especially the 3rd goal against Cape Town City,” said Podile Ramodike on Twitter.
Another fan said: “Onyango is off form but I’d prefer him over Mweene anyway. Hope Mweene proves me wrong today. #ForeverYellow.”
Sundowns’ remaining options in goal are Kennedy Mweene and Reyaad Pieterse.
It should be remembered that it was against this same Golden Arrows that Onyango let a tame shot from Danny Phiri pass through his legs as they lost 3-2 last year in November.
Onyango’s off form, just like Themba Zwane, Gaston Sirino and Sibusiso Vilakazi, can be justified by the fact that he has been a permanent fixture in almost all Sundowns games.
Sundowns will need a victory tonight to reduce the gap atop before facing Kaizer Chiefs in three days time.
Baroka, Polokwane and Black Leopards are the teams that Sundowns still have to face as they target a third straight league title.
