Orlando Pirates’ medical department has confirmed that Bafana Bafana internationals Evidence Makgopa and Thalente Mbatha have returned to full-team training after missing the opening stages of the 2026/27 season.
Mbatha has been sidelined with a knee injury since 10 August 2026. Makgopa has been recovering from patellar tendinitis after being ruled out on 5 August.
Both players have already featured in friendly matches as they continue their preparations to regain full match fitness.
MORE ORLANDO PIRATES PLAYERS MAKING PROGRESS
Their return comes at an important stage of the season for the Buccaneers. The club have enjoyed an exceptionally strong and unbeaten start under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
The Sea Robbers have also received positive news regarding Mohau Nkota and Andre de Jong. Nkota is recovering from a knee injury, while De Jong continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.
Both players have now progressed to field-based rehabilitation. No specific return date has been confirmed, but their move onto the field represents another important stage of their recovery.
There is also encouraging progress in Sihle Nduli’s long-term recovery. The 30-year-old has completed the latest stage of his rehabilitation programme and has started running on the field.
Senior physiotherapist Kutlwano Molefe explained the next stage of Nduli’s recovery.
“Sihle has started running on the field and is scheduled to undergo field-based rehabilitation for approximately two weeks before beginning his reintegration into full-team training.”
The injury updates come as Pirates continue to compete on several fronts.
SOLID START TO THE 2026/27 SEASON
Orlando Pirates have played seven matches across all competitions, recording six victories and one draw. Their performances have shown impressive consistency across domestic and continental football.
In the Betway Premiership, the defending champions started with a 2-0 win over Milford FC. They then drew 1-1 away to AmaZulu before responding with victories over Chippa United, Sekhukhune United and Kruger United.
The three wins came by scores of 3-0, 2-0 and 4-0 respectively. That run has given Orlando Pirates 13 points from a possible 15. They have scored 12 league goals while conceding just one.
The Soweto giants have reached the MTN8 final for the fifth consecutive season. They eliminated Durban City 2-1 in the quarter-finals before producing a dominant semi-final performance against Sekhukhune United.
They won the first leg 1-0 away before completing the job with a 3-0 victory at home. The result secured a 4-0 aggregate triumph.
Defensive consistency has also been one of the biggest features of their start, with Sipho Chaine and the Pirates defence keeping five clean sheets in seven matches. The new additions have also settled quickly.
Zambian international forward Gamphani Lungu has made an immediate impact. He was voted the August Player of the Month after contributing three goals and an assist across competitions.
Orlando Pirates travelled to Mauritius for the first leg of their first CAF Champions League preliminary-round tie against La Cure Waves. The match ended 0-0 despite opportunities for the Buccaneers.
Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side finished the job in the second round with a 3-1 win in Soweto. They will face Nambian champions African All-Stars for a place in the group stages.
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