Mamelodi Sundowns lose star playmaker to nasal fracture

Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Gaston Sirino has been ruled out for two to three weeks with a nasal fracture suffered against Al Hilal on Friday.

The Brazilians sneaked past the Sudanese outfit 1-0 in their opening CAF Champions League group stage courtesy of Themba Zwane's eighth-minute strike.

However, it did not come without cost as Sirino suffered a nasty broken nose after a collision in the first half before being rushed to Netcare Fancrest Hospital, in Rustenburg, for assessment.

Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi has bemoaned the fact that the Uruguayan has been side-lined again after looking to have got back up to full speed following another long-term injury.

The Masandawana mentor confirmed that Sirino has already had a nose operation and on the road to recovery.

"It’s sad that when he was really beginning to come back very strong and really showing good signs, even in training, we have to lose him out in a manner that we did. He’s already done an operation," Mngqithi told Soccer Laduma.

"The doctors have promised us that it might be two to three weeks situation for him being outside of football.

"So, we are hoping that maybe when we come back from Al Ahly, he might be in a very good space to assist the team going forward.

"But we do wish him a very speedy recovery because we know he is a very important member of our team."

Sundowns return to action on Monday (19:30) evening against Baroka FC in DStv Premiership encounter at Pietersburg Stadium before taking on Sudanese giants Al-Merrikh on Saturday (15:00) at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.