Pirates eye injury boosts as FIFA break offers recovery time

The FIFA international break has arrived at a useful moment for Orlando Pirates, who are hopeful several injured players will be available when domestic football resumes.

Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side have managed to maintain their challenge at the top of the Betway Premiership despite being without a number of players in recent weeks. Their latest victory, a 2-0 win against Marumo Gallants at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday, was their fifth consecutive league triumph.

That result moved the Buccaneers to within one point of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and ensured they began the lengthy international break with their momentum intact.

Pirates have had to cope without Thalente Mbatha, Evidence Makgopa, Sihle Nduli and Mohau Nkota, all of whom have been unavailable while recovering from injuries.

There is some positive news for Ouaddou, however. Mbatha and Makgopa are believed to have returned to training after making progress in their recoveries, while Nkota is also understood to be nearing a return.

The pause in domestic competition gives those players additional time to continue their rehabilitation without the immediate pressure of missing more league fixtures. It could also allow some of them to be cleared for action by the time Pirates resume their schedule.

Their return would give Ouaddou more selection options as the Buccaneers enter an important stage of the season, with the club competing at the top end of the league table and preparing for a major cup occasion.

Pirates will face Sundowns in the MTN8 final on October 10. The two teams are currently separated by only one point in the Betway Premiership, adding significance to a fixture between the league’s leading sides.

For Pirates, the priority during the break will be to preserve the form that has taken them to five successive league wins while using the time available to strengthen their squad.

The possible return of Mbatha, Makgopa and Nkota would provide a further boost, although Sihle Nduli remains among the players continuing their recovery.