Free State Stars midfield rookie Luyolo Nomandela says the loss of Katlego Mashego is a significant blow to the Bethlehem outfit.
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Mashego, a victim of an accidental challenge from Bloemfontein Celtic's Lyle Lakay, is expected to miss a better portion of the season with an ankle injury.
"It's a big loss for the team as you know, 'KG' (Mashego) is a key player for the team," Nomandela told Football411.com.
"It was daunting seeing him being stretchered off and carried to the ambulance. But I guess it is part of football.
"We will miss him and we wish him a speedy recovery."
Nomandela was among the 17 signings unveiled by Ea Lla Koto at the start of the current campaign, and he has hit the headlines for his exciting dribbling skills and crucial goals scored for Steve Komphela's men.
The 23-year-old cites unity as the major source of Stars' success that saw them reach the semi-final of the Telkom Knockout and sees them lying ninth in the Premier Soccer League standings.
"What motivates us is the work rate that we have," he added. "We might be a bunch of unknowns, but with the displays we've shown, people already know what we are capable of because of the work we put in.
"So all in all what motivates us is the unity and amazing fighting spirit that we have in this team. We are one big family.
"The presence of guys like Paulus (Masehe) and Kennedy (Mwene) is also a blessing in disguise because they have achieved a lot in football and they are always the two to lead and motivate us and I really look up and learn a lot from them."
Nomandela missed Stars' goalless draw against the Pretoria University due to suspension but is available for this weekend's trip away to AmaZulu.
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