Cape Town - Orlando Pirates have confirmed that goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo will miss up to eight weeks after suffering a knee injury this week.
The shot-stopper was forced off in the eventual 1-0 defeat to SuperSport before it was abandoned after 63 minutes due to floodlight failure.
The Buccaneers had been hopeful Mhlongo would be back in action after a week off, but further assessments have reveal a torn medial cruciate ligament.
The Bafana Bafana keeper will undergo surgery on his knee, after which he is expected to miss between six and eight weeks of action.
Pirates administrative manager Floyd Mbele told the club's official Twitter account: "Brighton's injury is very unfortunate considering the timing. He was starting to come into his own as the regular number one.
"It's tougher on Brighton because he loves to play and we never want to see any of our players injured. But he is a strong character.
"Fortunately we have depth in our GK department with [Siyabonga] Mpontshane and [Felipe] Ovono; we're confident that our goals will be in safe hands."