Injuries Wreak Havoc for Orlando Pirates Ahead of MTN8 Clash

Orlando Pirates have hit a snag in their preparations for the MTN8 quarter-final clash against SuperSport United this weekend. The team’s medical staff recently confirmed that defender Thabiso Lebitso will be sidelined for the match after struggling to recover from a knee injury.

This unfortunate setback came about due to a rough tackle from Al Sadd defender Musaab Khidir during a preseason friendly last month. Sadly, this injury has put Lebitso out of action for at least three months.

Another player from that match, Miguel Timm, is also facing challenges. He’s currently dealing with an ankle injury and will undergo a late fitness test to determine his availability for the upcoming match.

The injury list for the Pirates is looking quite lengthy. Paseka Mako is working on his rehabilitation with an estimated return date set for September 2024. Meanwhile, Tapelo Xoki and Goodman Mosele are both in the intermediate rehab phase, and both expect to be back by the end of September and November 2024, respectively.

In addition, Zakhele Lepasa and Boitumelo Radiopane are undergoing acute rehabilitation, with their return dates still to be confirmed after further assessments. Bandile Shandu, on the other hand, is in the intermediate rehabilitation phase and is aiming to make a return by mid-September 2024.

As the Pirates prepare for their 2024/25 season, expectations are high. Under coach Jose Riveiro, they are seen as strong contenders to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the top position in the Premier Soccer League. However, they are heading into a challenging match against the Swanky Boys, managed by Gavin Hunt, who is hoping for a stronger season after the previous struggles.