Orlando Pirates prospect Will Henson ruled out for six weeks

Orlando Pirates striker Will Henson will miss at least six weeks after suffering a thigh injury while representing South Africa Under-20s at the COSAFA Cup Under-20 Youth tournament.

The 18-year-old, nicknamed ‘Anytime Goalscorer’, had been enjoying a strong spell before the injury, helping Amajita progress through the regional competition and impressing in the DStv Diski Challenge.

Henson’s performances for the Pirates reserve side had also brought him closer to involvement with the senior squad. However, his development has been interrupted at a key stage of the domestic campaign.

The club’s medical department assessed the teenager and prescribed a recovery period of at least six weeks. A source confirmed that the injury is a torn thigh, while also indicating that it had been an ongoing problem for some time.

“The DStv Diski Challenge striker, Will Henson, has not been taking part in the club’s DDC matches this season because he has a torn thigh, so he is out for six weeks,” the source said.

“Unfortunately, he is out for six weeks after the thigh injury he sustained during the COSAFA games.

“It’s been a on going problem for, like, two months, but it’s just gotten worse.”

Henson’s absence means Orlando Pirates’ reserve team will have to manage its upcoming fixtures without one of its leading young attacking players as he concentrates on rehabilitation.

Before receiving his international call-up, he had established himself as a standout performer in the DDC. His progress followed a particularly productive junior career, during which he finished as the Gauteng Development League’s leading goalscorer.

The setback represents a pause in the forward’s progress, but the Pirates technical staff remain confident he can complete his recovery and return stronger.