Orlando Pirates have received a huge boost ahead of the MTN8 final at Mbombela Stadium this Saturday.
Star midfielder Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi has shaken off the knock that kept him out of the Bafana Bafana squad and is available for selection.
Maswanganyi picked up the injury just before the international break, forcing him to miss Bafana’s qualifiers. His absence opened the door for Orlando Pirates teammate Sipho Mbule, who impressed against Lesotho.
ORLANDO PIRATES COACH ABDESLAM OUADDOU SHARES PATRICK MASWANGANYI GOOD NEWS
The Tembisa-born star is ready to step on the green grass this weekend, as confirmed by coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
“If you can see him on the pitch, it means the medical department give him the green light to be there,” Ouaddou told media.
“I am happy that he is coming back. It seems not to be so serious. All the time when my players are injured, I am very sad. So, I am happy that he is with us,” the Orlando Pirates mentor added.
ORLANDO PIRATES ASSESSING CHIMZUMLAM NWOBURUOKE
Orlando Pirates fans have another Nigerian to keep an eye on. Chimzulam Collins Nwoburuoke, a 20-year-old centre-back, has arrived at the Soweto giants for assessment.
The youngster is hoping to earn a Betway Premiership contract after failing to convince Gavin Hunt at Durban City FC.
Nwoburuoke is currently on the books of Abia Warriors from the Nigeria Premier League, and is represented by ProSport International, the same agency that manages fellow Nigerian Olisa Ndah, who is already part of the Buccaneers’ setup.
The dreadlocked youngster was spotted training with the Sea Robbers at the Rand Stadium on Wednesday, before the image went viral among Orlando Pirates fans on social media.
Pirates supporters will be eager to see if the young centre-back can follow in Ndah’s footsteps and make an impact at the highest level. With the MTN8 final around the corner, Nwoburuoke will need to be patient and prove himself in training before breaking into the first team.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if coach Ouaddou will see Nwoburuoke as a needed addition to his defence line.
EXISTING OPTIONS IN CENTRAL DEFENCE:
- Thabiso Sesane (recovering from injury)
- Nkosinathi Sibisi
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi
- Lebone Seema
- Tapelo Xoki
- Olisa Ndah (recovering from injury).
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