Orlando Pirates sweat over Kamogelo Sebelebele’s fitness ahead of Soweto derby with Kaizer Chiefs

Orlando Pirates are sweating over the fitness of right-back Kamogelo Sebelebele ahead of their highly anticipated Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs, with the defender continuing his recovery from an injury sustained in the MTN8 Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The 23-year-old was forced off in the first half of the final, which ended in defeat for the Buccaneers, raising concerns over his availability for the club’s upcoming fixtures.

Sebelebele has already missed Orlando Pirates’ clash against TS Galaxy and their CAF Champions League encounter with African Stars as he continues his rehabilitation.

His potential absence from the Soweto derby would be a significant setback for the Buccaneers, given his growing importance to the team since joining the club in 2025.

Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has confirmed that the defender’s condition is being closely monitored by the club’s medical team, with his return date yet to be established.

The Moroccan tactician remains hopeful that the injury is not serious, although Sebelebele’s availability for the derby will depend on his progress over the coming days.

Since arriving at Orlando Pirates, the right-back has impressed with his pace, attacking intent and ability to contribute in the final third, making him an important option in the team’s tactical setup.

With the Soweto derby regarded as one of the biggest fixtures on the South African football calendar, the Buccaneers will be eager to have their key players available as they prepare to face their fierce rivals.

For now, Pirates must wait for further medical assessments to determine whether Sebelebele will recover in time for the showdown with Kaizer Chiefs.