Orlando Pirates rule out four players for Durban City match

Orlando Pirates will be without Thalente Mbatha, Evidence Makgopa, Sihle Nduli and Mohau Nkota for tonight’s Betway Premiership meeting with Durban City at the Amstel Arena.

The quartet remain unavailable as they continue their respective recovery programmes from injury, the club confirmed.

Pirates return to domestic league action after spending the past two weeks competing in the CAF Champions League. They will hope to maintain their challenge near the top of the Betway Premiership when they host Durban City this evening.

“Thalente Mbatha, Evidence Makgopa, Sihle Nduli and Mohau Nkota remain unavailable for selection as they continue their recovery from their respective injuries,” Pirates said on the club’s official website.

There could still be positive injury news for head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, with Gamphani Lungu and Andre de Jong due to undergo late fitness tests.

“Meanwhile, Gamphani Lungu and Andre de Jong will undergo late fitness tests to determine their availability for the match,” the club added.

Pirates aim to close gap

Pirates are second in the Betway Premiership standings, having collected 13 points from their opening five matches.

They trail early leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have 20 points from eight games, but Pirates have played three fewer fixtures than the defending champions.

A victory against Durban City would give Pirates the chance to reduce the deficit and keep pace with Mamelodi Sundowns as they resume their league campaign.

The club will now await the results of Lungu and de Jong’s fitness assessments before finalising the squad for the match.