Mamelodi Sundowns have suffered a major blow ahead of the Tshwane Derby against SuperSport United at the Loftus Stadium today after midfielder Lucas Ribeiro was ruled out of the match due to a groin injury.
The Brazilian picked up the injury during the DStv premiership match against Chippa United played in Pretoria last Saturday. He is currently the leading goal scorer in the league with 10 goals so far this season. Ribeiro got his first hat-trick in South Africa when Downs beat Amazulu FC 3-0 last month.
Ribeiro left the field in tears after picking up the injury against the Chilli Boys.
"He was crying and I had to go and reassure him that the team had won. And of course, he made a huge contribution to the result, and so I wanted to thank him and congratulate him on the performance," said Mokwena after the match in Atteridgeville on Saturday.
"Hopefully not as bad as we think because we need him, but once again, God has good timing because now we're going for the FIFA break and so it gives a bit of time for him to get (medical) attention."
Meanwhile, the Tshwane Derby promises another exciting spectacle on the South African football calendar this evening. Mzansi football lovers watched Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs by 3-2 in a pulsating Soweto Derby atFNB stadium on Saturday, with Mokwena amongst the keen observers.
"It's difficult to compare because the Soweto Derby has history, we all know that, but that's what Tshwane doesn't have much in, the history", said Mokwena after watching the spectacle on Saturday.
"But I think in terms of emotions and rivalry, it's there. It's rivalry and that's why it's called the derby and over the years, both teams have been extremely successful in terms of recent history.
"There are a lot of titles shared between SuperSport and Mamelodi Sundowns, both in the league and in terms of cups. So, the prestige is there, the emotional connotation is there, but it's difficult to compare because the other one has emotions on historical background and the other one has emotions from the recent success of both teams," he added.
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