Orlando Pirates already have several senior players out injured. Now one of their breakout stars faces a nervous wait on his own setback.
Orlando Pirates injuries start to mount
Pirates’ 1-1 draw with AmaZulu back in August came at a high cost. Sihle Nduli picked up a knock, while Evidence Makgopa will miss up to two months of action after aggravating an existing knee injury. Makgopa played through the issue at the World Cup but now requires a spell on the sidelines. Bafana midfielder Thalente Mbatha also has a knee issue which requires surgery. Gamphani Lungu, one of the club’s outstanding performers so far this season, went off on a stretcher during the 4-0 win against Kruger United at the weekend. The Zambian winger has four goals and two assists from five Betway Premiership appearances this term. Pirates can ill-afford Lungu to be out for a prolonged period.
New midfield options for the Buccaneers?
In the absence of injured midfield duo Sihle Nduli and Thalente Mbatha, Cemran Dansin, Thapelo Mokobodi, Simphiwe Selepe and Mthetheleli Mthiyane have all gotten minutes in the engine room. They might be needed for longer than planned. What looked like a crisis on paper has proved to be a massive opportunity for some of the club’s emerging stars. Next up for Pirates is a CAF Champions League qualifying double-header with La Cure Waves FC. Those fixtures are on 6 and 12 September.
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