Sekhukhune United crippled ahead of three Orlando Pirates fixtures

Mashiloane is spending a second campaign on loan from the Soweto giants and has been a regular under Kaze this season.

However, ahead of Saturday’s semifinal first leg at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Kaze confirmed Mashiloane will be unavailable, while also providing an update on several other players who are doubts for the clash.

"Tsepho Mashiloane is a very big loss for us because he has been important since the beginning of the season, but the other players have to be ready to compete and to embrace this challenge."

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Sekhukhune will still be without new striker Bethuel Muzeu due to work permit delays and Kaze also added that left back Vuyo Letlapa is also another long-term absentee after suffering a hamstring injury. 

Kaze acknowledged that his charges are going to have to find their best performance yet against the reigning champions, having blown hot and cold so far this season. 

"We need to find the right balance between how we want to attack and how we defend. If we can combine our first half performances against Chiefs and Durban City with a strong second half performance, we will stand a good chance."

Both sides have a Betway Premiership clash sandwiched in between the two MTN8 fixtures with Pirates hosting Sekhukhune at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Wednesday before welcoming them again at the same venue for the second leg in the cup tie next weekend. 

Kaze says they have to box smart...