Pirates handed injury boost but new striker Pedersen set to miss league opener

Orlando Pirates are set to begin their Betway Premiership title defence without new signing Sebastian Pedersen, but head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has been boosted by a fully fit squad including the return of long-term absentees Tapelo Xoki and Masindi Nemtajela.

Pirates face Milford FC at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday at 15:00 in their opening league fixture of the season, with preparations nearing completion following a media open training session on Tuesday.

Pedersen absence clouds attacking plans

Pedersen, the Norwegian striker who recently joined the Soweto club, was a conspicuous absentee from the session attended by media. Information communicated to this website is that he is not expected to be involved in Saturday’s match.

The forward had spent several days with Pirates during their pre-season training camp in Spain, integrating with his new team-mates and giving the coaching staff an early look at his game.

Despite his absence from the training pitch this week, Ouaddou has already spoken in glowing terms about the 24-year-old’s qualities, making it clear that he sees Pedersen as an important component of the Buccaneers’ attacking structure over the course of the campaign.

There was no official explanation at the session for why Pedersen was missing or why he is unlikely to feature at the weekend, but his expected omission will force Ouaddou to turn to existing options in the forward line for the champions’ curtain-raiser.

Youngster Kgositsile back and pushing for place

One player who was present and fully involved was Kabelo Kgositsile, who has now officially linked up with the first-team squad after completing a season-long loan.

The 19-year-old midfielder was signed by Pirates last year and immediately loaned back to Baroka FC, where he was given regular minutes to accelerate his development in a competitive environment.

Having returned to his parent club ahead of the new campaign, Kgositsile is now competing for a place in the wide positions, looking to convince Ouaddou that he is ready to make the step up and contribute in the Betway Premiership.

His inclusion in the main training group on Tuesday underlines that he is firmly in the coaching staff’s plans, adding youthful depth and competition in the attacking midfield areas.

Clean bill of health for champions

Perhaps the most significant positive for Pirates is that Ouaddou and his technical team appear to have a full squad available for selection going into the Milford fixture and the matches that follow.

All senior players were involved in the latest training session, giving the coaching staff several selection options across the pitch as they prepare to launch their title defence.

Notably, long-term injury victims Xoki and Nemtajela were heavily engaged throughout the session. Both have completed their rehabilitation programmes and are now back in full training, offering renewed depth in their respective positions.

With injuries no longer a pressing concern, attention at the club now turns to final tactical tweaks and selection calls for Saturday’s clash in Orlando, where the champions will look to start their campaign on a positive note despite the likely absence of their new Norwegian striker.