SuperSport United defender Thulani Hlatshwayo is set to be out for a long time due to a broken ankle, the player’s coach Gavin Hunt confirmed.
The 34-year-old, who was reunited with Hunt at the beginning of last season after he was released by Orlando Pirates, last featured for Hunt’s side in a 2-0 loss over USM Alger in the CAF Confederation Cup on 3 December at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
He didn’t finish that game, as he was removed before the second half got underway and Kegan Johannes took his place.
Hlatshwayo, who worked with Hunt when they won three trophies at Bidvest Wits including the league title, has missed the last five matches in all competitions, with Hunt twinning Ime Okon and Bilal Baloyi at the back, and Siyanda Xulu sometimes.
“Tyson has broken his ankle,” said Hunt when asked about the former Bafana Bafana captain.
“Well, he has been out for a month already, so he hasn’t played and that is the blow for us.”
Hunt was speaking after SuperSport was brought down to earth, as they lost 3-1 to second-from-bottom side Richards Bay at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
Okon, who was part of the Bafana 50 men provisional squad named by coach Hugo Broos for the African Cup of Nations next month, was sent off after he lost the ball to Somila Ntsundwana and brought him down in the 37th minute, leaving referee Jelly Chavani no chance but to flash a red card.
At that time, SuperSport were 1-0 up after Ghampani Lungu converted an early spot-kick in the 18th minute.
But with Bay having a numerical advantage, Thabani Dube leveled for the home side with a header in the 41st minute.
After that, Ricardo Goss pulled many saves for SuperSport, with Bay flooding forward and peppering the goals.
It was clear that they were not going to hang on for a long time and Ntsundwana scored in the 47th minute, taking full advantage after Xulu failed to deal with a long ball. Thulani Gumede put the final nail in the coffin, smashing home the third in the 83rd minute to see coach Vusi Vilakazi win his first game in charge of the Natal Rich Boyz.
Hunt, who was boiling inside because of the defeat, said the sending-off affected his side because they were not the same afterwards.
“We don’t have…. replacements and it’s tough,” said Hunt.
“We had to change things a bit and that was unfortunate and that’s football. We have had a few red cards already this season and you all know about it, but we should be better, we should have been better.”
Despite the loss, Hunt’s side remained second on the DStv Premiership table with 29 points after 16 matches.
