Mamelodi Sundowns dealt major blow as Rivaldo Coetzee suffers with ACL injury - 'It's a bad one'

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has confirmed a huge Rivaldo Coetzee injury blow which could impact the team in their Caf Champions League group stage campaign. 

The 28-year-old midfielder picked up an injury when he came on as a substitute in the Brazilians' PSL game against Cape Town City last week. 

Speaking after Sundowns' win over Polokwane City on Wednesday, Mngqithi confirmed that Coetzee will be out of action for weeks. 

"Rivaldo Coetzee's injury is serious, he will probably be out for four weeks if not more, it's an ACL," Mngqithi said.

"He has to go for an operation I think this coming week. But it is a bad one. 

"We hope he will come back when we need him the most in the later stages of the season."

Coetzee has been an important member of Sundowns this season, with Mngqithi preferring to play him as a six ahead of Teboho Mokoena.

This will be a big blow for the Chloorkop-based giants, as the 53-year-old mentor would have wanted Coetzee available ahead of Champions League group-stage matches. 

As things stand, Masandawana have nine games to play in all competitions until the end of the year. Amongst the upcoming fixtures, Downs will face Congolese club Maniema Union on November 26, in the Champions League.

Coetzee will soon undergo surgery and focus on his injury rehabilitation.

Downs will be in action on Sunday when they visit Marumo Gallants at Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium for the Carling Knockout semi-final match.