Several Sundowns players 'suffering from flu' but will honour Royal AM fixture

Mamelodi Sundowns have confirmed that "numerous" players have been suffering from the flu after their abandoned DStv Premiership clash against Royal AM on Saturday.

The match kick-started at 15:00, but 24 minutes into the fixture, it was brought to a stop, and relevant parties were consulted before a decision was reached.

It was the final league match for champions-in-waiting Sundowns - and they would have celebrated under a rain of confetti with the Premiership trophy.

But celebrations have also been placed on ice.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) confirmed that the fixture would instead be played on Monday, 23 May, at the same venue, Chatsworth Stadium - kick-off at 15:00.

Hours before the start of match, Downs have announced, in a statement, that a number of unnamed players will not feature due to flu-like symptoms.

However, the club will honour the fixture and field their "strongest available team this afternoon".

Dr Carl Tabane, Sundowns team doctor, said: "The players are being tested for the full flu panel that includes influenza, COVID-19, RSV PCR to establish the exact cause of the symptoms.

"In recent weeks, the country has witnessed an overlap in all these three viruses, and it is crucial that we conduct the testing as they present similar signs and symptoms. 

"We  continue to follow the necessary precautions."