Mamelodi Sundowns Suffer Triple Injury Blow - FIFA Break Setbacks Rule Trio Out of MTN8 Final

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 09 Oct 2026

Ralph Staniforth 09 Oct 2026

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Sundowns lose Mokoena, Aubaas, and Modiba to injuries during FIFA break.
All three will miss the crucial MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates.
Midfield and defensive options are now limited for Sundowns in the final.

Sundowns will be without Bathusi Aubaas, Aubrey Modiba and Teboho Mokoena for the MTN 8 Final vs Orlando Pirates (Getty Images).

Mamelodi Sundowns have suffered a triple injury setback during the FIFA international break, with Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas and Aubrey Modiba all picking up injuries.
Mokoena Blow Hits Midfield
Bathusi Aubaas Goes Down
Aubrey Modiba Pulls Hamstring

All three players will miss the upcoming MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates, leaving Sundowns without key squad members for the crucial clash.

Mokoena Blow Hits Midfield

Teboho Mokoena suffered a knee injury during Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 win over Guinea. The midfielder was subsequently ruled out of the following match against Eritrea and will now miss the MTN8 final.

After the tragic passing of Jayden Adams, Sundowns will be a lot weaker for the final without Mokoena.

Bathusi Aubaas Goes Down

Defensive midfielder Bathusi Aubaas was forced off after just 12 minutes during South Africa’s 5-0 victory over Eritrea. His injury means he will also be unavailable when Sundowns take on Pirates in the MTN8 final.

Aubaas would have been a good option to cover for Mokoena in the engine room. The double setback leaves just Thabo Cele, Sphelele Mkhulise and Marcelo Allende as options to start.

Aubrey Modiba Pulls Hamstring

The left back nicknamed "Post Man", Aubrey Modiba picked up his injury during the 2-1 win over Guinea, joining Mokoena on the sidelines.

The fullback will miss the MTN8 final with Fawaaz Basadien likely to start instead. Divine Lunga is another option in that role.

Ralph is from South Africa and studied Sports Science post school at ETA (Education Teachers Academy) in Cape Town.

He has always had a great passion for sport and this led him into the world of sports journalism, while coaching on the side. Since 2012 Ralph has worked as a journalist and covered many topics from business to sport.

Over the last seven years he has interviewed numerous top rugby and cricket players and coaches in South Africa.

Ralph has been betting on sports for the last ten years. He’s knowledgeable on numerous topics including football, rugby, cricket, tennis and golf.

He supports Manchester United (football), Cheetahs (rugby), Knights (cricket) and has a newly found appreciation for Dominic Thiem on the tennis courts.