Triple boost for Pirates ahead of Stellies showdown!

Orlando Pirates have been boosted by the return from injury of three key players ahead of their MTN8 final against Stellies.

The two sides will battle it out at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday in what will be a repeat of last season’s MTN8 final.

Kick-off is at 18:00.

Now, with the majority of Pirates regulars back from national team duty with Bafana Bafana, Abdeslam Ouaddou has some good news.

Dribbling wizard Patrick Maswanganyi is available for selection against Stellies after being withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad due to injury.

Maswanganyi has been training with the rest of his teammates, and Ouaddou said the medical team cleared him.

In addition, defender and captain Nkosinathi Sibisi as well as Thabiso Sesane are both back in contention.

Sesane has been out since February due to a ruptured tendon, and he was always expected to return after six months.

Now, with the two centre-backs available, Ouaddou has a nice selection headache for the upcoming encounter.

And that’s because Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Lebone Seema have also been in top form in that Pirates defence.

Orlando Pirates Sesane — Orlando Pirates defender Thabiso Sesane against Chippa United at the Orlando Stadium. Image: SL

MTN8 FINAL: BOOST FOR PIRATES AS TRIO RETURNS

“Yes, Patrick is ready for the final. The fact that you saw him on the pitch, it means that the medical department gave him the green light to be there,” Ouaddou told media.

“I’m happy that he’s coming back. It seems like the injury is not so serious. Whenever my players are injured, I become very sad. So, I’m happy that he’s with us,” he added.