Orlando Pirates welcome injury boost ahead of MTN8 final

Orlando Pirates have been boosted by the return of Evidence Makgopa and Thalente Mbatha to full-team training as the club continues to manage several injury recoveries during the FIFA international break.

The Betway Premiership is paused for another week, giving Pirates’ medical staff additional time to work with players who have been sidelined. The club are also preparing for the prospect of facing Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final on October 10th.

Bafana Bafana internationals Makgopa and Mbatha have both resumed training with the squad after making progress from their respective injuries.

Mbatha had been out since 10 August with a knee problem, while Makgopa had been receiving treatment for patellar tendinitis since 5 August. The pair have also taken part in friendly matches as they work towards regaining full match fitness.

Their return provides Pirates with further options as they prepare for the resumption of domestic competition, although the club still have other players continuing their rehabilitation away from full training.

Mohau Nkota and Andre de Jong have both moved into field-based rehabilitation. Nkota is recovering from a knee injury, while De Jong is being treated for a hamstring problem.

Pirates have not given a projected return date for either player. However, their progress to on-field work marks another positive stage in their recoveries.

Sihle Nduli has also made encouraging progress as he continues a long-term rehabilitation programme.

The 30-year-old has completed the latest phase of his recovery and has begun running on the field. Senior physiotherapist Kutlwano Molefe said Nduli was now moving closer to a return to training with the squad.

“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,” Molefe said.

Pirates will hope the returning players can strengthen their squad when the Betway Premiership resumes after the international break. Their immediate focus will include ensuring the players who have returned to training regain the fitness required for competitive action.

Makgopa and Mbatha’s involvement in friendly matches is part of that process, while Nkota, De Jong and Nduli remain at different stages of their recovery programmes.

The club have yet to set a timeframe for the returns of Nkota or De Jong, but the latest updates mean Pirates have seen progress across several of their injury cases during the domestic season’s pause.