Orlando Pirates defender Sebelebele set to miss African Stars clash

Orlando Pirates are expected to be without Kamogelo Sebelebele for Saturday’s CAF Champions League match against African Stars after the right-back sustained an injury in the MTN8 final.

The former TS Galaxy player missed Pirates’ 3-0 victory over his old club at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday as he continued to undergo medical assessments.

Sebelebele is believed to have suffered a muscle or leg injury during the first half of Saturday’s MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Pirates lost the match 2-0.

He was replaced by Oswin Appollis at half-time and was later seen using crutches while collecting his runners-up medal, prompting concerns over the seriousness of the problem.

Ouaddou confirms Champions League absence

Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou said the 24-year-old remained under review but confirmed he would not be available for the club’s next continental fixture.

“Look, he is still assessed by the medical department. I still hope that it’s not so bad, but we’ll have some more news, I think, soon. But I think for the Champions League, definitely I cannot use him. But we’ll see for the next games if we can have him or not. We hope it’s not so bad,” Ouaddou told journalists after the win over TS Galaxy.

Sebelebele will therefore miss the Champions League encounter with Namibia’s African Stars on Saturday. His availability for Pirates’ later fixtures has not yet been established.

The injury adds to concerns over the right-back position, which has already presented difficulties for the Buccaneers during the current season. Pirates must now consider alternative options while waiting for further information from the medical department on Sebelebele’s recovery.

His absence comes as the club continues to balance its domestic commitments with its CAF Champions League campaign.