Brian Mandela: Harambee Stars Defender Fearing the Worst After Setback in Third Match for His New Club

Kenyan defender Brian Onyango was left fearing the worst after his injury curse struck again in South Africa on Tuesday.

Onyango, who just recently secured a new club, after signing for South African side Orbit College, was playing his third straight match when injury struck.

The Kenyan defender was selected in the starting lineup for the third straight match when Orbit College hosted his former club Mamelodi Sundowns and it was double pain for Mandela.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

Sundowns ran out 2-0 winners to move to the top of the table while increasing Orbit College’s relegation fears as they are stuck in 15th position on the 16-team league.

Mandela had given a good account of himself in the early exchanges when he kept out Brazilian forward Arthur Sales from heading in after six minutes before he also left Iqraam Rayners in an offside position when he scored for Sundowns after nine minutes.

However, in the second half, it got from bad to worse. Two minutes after resumption, Portuguese midfielder Miguel Reisinho got ahead of Mandela and onto a well-headed ball from compatriot Nuno Santos to score the opening goal.

Ten minutes later, Mandela was involved in a defensive mix-up before a panicking Orbit College defence gave away a penalty after his centre-back partner Ramahlwe Mphahlele hacked down Sundowns right-back Khuliso Mudau as the referee pointed to the spot.

Rayners stepped up and scored for 2-0 as Sundowns took the game beyond the newly-promoted side.

In the 65th minute Mandela, Manddela went down with a problem and did not continue. He was helped out of the pitch as he limped away although the severity of the problem was not immediately known.

Mandela will hope that it is not another injury as such setbacks have hindered his game time during his 15-year stay in South Africa.

The former Maritzburg United and Sundowns defender had been without a club since being released by Stellenbosch FC at the end of last season and signed for Orbit College late last month.