Mamelodi Sundowns Defender Undergoes Successful Surgery

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Thapelo Morena has successfully gone under the knife for ankle surgery with the South Africa Premier Soccer League team confirming that the player will be out for a few months.

The defender picked up the injury in his side’s 1-0 win over SuperSport United at Loftus Stadium on Saturday as the Brazilians progressed to the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup.

Thapelo is expected to return to the treatment room after two weeks for the doctors to reassess the injury, though it appears that his season may be over.

“I’m feeling much better and I’m happy that I’ve been discharged. Thank you for all the messages of support. I am ready to start the process of healing,” the Bafana Bafana international told the club website.

The workaholic defender whose injury has been described as a ‘huge blow to the club’ by Sundowns manager Pitso Mosimane, had been an influential figure in the side’s quest for the second African Champions League trophy.

“It is a difficult one with Thapelo because we need him for the Champions League‚ the domestic league and this tournament going forward and we have lost him now‚” said coach Mosimane in a separate interview.

The time frame for his recovery will also mean that the former Bloemfontein Celtic star will not be available for South Africa in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe in March.