Kaizer Chiefs Mamelodi Sundowns

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns will do battle in a must-watch clash on Saturday, 21 January at the FNB Stadium. Image: @kickoffmagazine / Twitter.

Carling Black Label Cup: Five BIG names that will DEFINITELY miss out with injuries

The Carling Black Label cup is less than 48 hours away. Unfortunately, it comes too soon for five big names who miss out through injury.

Kaizer Chiefs Mamelodi Sundowns

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns will do battle in a must-watch clash on Saturday, 21 January at the FNB Stadium. Image: @kickoffmagazine / Twitter.

Saturday’s Carling Black Label Cup is edging closer.

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Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu will all be keen to make a statement by winning the mid-season friendly tournament. This tournament comes too soon for a handful of key names who miss out through injury.

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Five big stars who will definitely miss the Black Label Cup

Itumeleng Khune

The Amakhosi skipper is currently sidelined with a knee tendon problem. Itu won’t be able to add to his admirable collection of four winner’s medals in this competition.

Black Label Cup
Itumeleng Khune will miss the Black Label Cup because of a knee tendon injury. Image: BackPagePix

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Peter Shalulile

Sundowns and Namibia striker Peter Shalulile recently underwent surgery on his knee, and will only return to action after the World Cup. That’s obviously a big blow for head coach Rhulani.


Thembinkosi Lorch

The 29-year-old attacker continues to nurse a serious knee injury and he has been missing from Buccaneers training sessions in recent weeks.

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Marcelo Allende

The Chilean, a big-money signing at the start of this season, was voted into the Sundowns starting XI but he’s injured and will play no part in the tournament. That’s a blow for the 23-year-old, who was starting to find his groove under Rhulani Mokwena.


Ramahlwe Mphahlele

Usuthu’s experienced centre-half is injured and won’t be involved. Although that’s certainly a blow for manager Romain Folz, AmaZulu will now lean heavily on ex- Ajax, Pirates and Cape Town City man Abbubaker Mobara. He has been excellent in the heart of defence.


What time does the Black Label Cup action kick off?

The first semifinal at 09:30am will see South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns do battle with MTN8 finalists AmaZulu.


Regardless of who is and isn’t involved this weekend, it should be a fascinating tournament. Besides, there’s a Soweto Derby on the cards.

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