Orlando Pirates duo Mbatha and Makgopa face lengthy injury lay-offs

Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha and forward Evidence Makgopa are set to spend a significant period on the sidelines after suffering knee injuries.

The pair missed Pirates’ 1-1 draw with AmaZulu FC in the Betway Premiership at Kings Park Stadium on Wednesday, with head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou confirming the concerns before kick-off.

Mbatha’s knee problem has worsened and the midfielder is expected to undergo surgery. The injury is likely to keep him out for a large part of the season, dealing a major blow to the Soweto club.

Makgopa, meanwhile, will not require an operation but is expected to be unavailable for about two months. He has played through the 2026 FIFA World Cup and pre-season with a knee injury, which has now forced him to take time away from competitive action.

The injuries mean both players are expected to miss Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers during the September FIFA international window.

Speaking to SuperSport TV before Pirates’ meeting with AmaZulu FC, Ouaddou said the club was still waiting for further clarity on the extent of Mbatha’s condition.

“Long time, I hope no [for Mbatha]. We know that since last season, sometimes he had a pin on that knee, so think there’s been some medical investigation about his knee.

“Hopefully, it can just be about cleaning the knee because it’s been bothering him for a while, so we hope it won’t be too long,” said the Moroccan-Frenchman tactician.

Mbatha has been an important part of the Pirates squad, while Makgopa’s absence will further reduce the options available to Ouaddou as the season progresses.

The timing of the injuries is particularly difficult for the club, with both players also set to miss out on international duty for South Africa. Their unavailability will affect Bafana Bafana’s preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures scheduled for the September FIFA dates.

Pirates were unable to claim victory in their first match without the injured duo, drawing with AmaZulu FC at Kings Park Stadium. The result left the Soweto giants needing to manage the squad carefully while Mbatha undergoes the expected medical procedure and Makgopa begins his recovery.

The club has not provided a definite return date for Mbatha, while Makgopa’s projected two-month absence gives a clearer indication of the length of his lay-off. Both players will therefore face a period of rehabilitation before they can return to action for Orlando Pirates or South Africa.