Golden Arrows co-coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi has picked up an injury that prevented him from fielding his best XI in the last match.
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Arrows will have to play with emergency defense in their Nedbank Cup match against Royal AM.
And to add salt to the wound, they lost another key player who limped off in the 3-1 loss.
Although it is unclear how long he will be out, goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha is the most seriously injured.
“It’s a worrying factor,” said Vilakazi after the game, as quoted by SABC Sports on Sunday.
“But going into the new week, we have to prepare. I know we were unlucky with our defensive partners.
“This is (Nsikelelo) Nxadi’s second game because of a long-term injury and Themba (Mantshiyane) is not a centre-back. He is a left-back.
“We are trying to work with what we have at this particular time,” said Arrows mentor.
Defeat a blessing in disguise for the Arrows
However, getting the boot in the Nedbank Cup could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Vilakazi Arrows who are struggling in the DStv Premiership.
The Durban team is among the teams that are not safe from relegation. And now the Arrows can focus on the league.
“We don’t give up… we have to remember especially as a technical staff about working with our players,” Vilakazi said.
“We have to be patient as we look at the bigger picture of trying to secure a good position at the log table.
“Just as we will focus on the defensive structure, we must also address the psychological aspect of the players and create a winning mentality.
“So now we have to focus on the league because we have to kill whether we like it or not,” added the former Arrows striker.
Abafana Bes’thende’s next task is a league match against Swallows who are also looking to move out of danger.
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It should be an interesting battle with the Swallows to pick up the piece after Ernst Middendorp’s dismissal last week.
The well-travelled German coach stepped down and took a job at a third-division club in his home country.