Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has a plethora of talent at his disposal.
The MTN8 Champions have bolstered their squad effectively in the recently concluded transfer window.
Given the nature of their busy schedule however, Ouaddou will need every player at his disposal.
And now, one first-team player looks set to only return to the green grass next year!
Orlando Pirates star tipped for 2026 return
Selaelo Rasebotja suffered a serious knee injury at the close of last season. In May, the Orlando Pirates midfielder had to undergo surgery for an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.
Now those injuries are arguably one of the worst a footballer can suffer. While medicine is advancing, an injury like still requires over six months of rehabilitation!
The Orlando Pirates star is already four months into his recovery. However, according to the player himself he still has a long way to go in his journey back to full fitness.
For Rasebotja, it now looks like he’ll sit out a full nine months. The 24-year-old midfielder will likely only return next year.
Rasebotja opens up on recovery timeline
“With my injury, I’m still in the early stages of my rehab. There is no pressure now for me to come back as early as possible. I just have to do the right steps because it was a very bad injury,” the Orlando Pirates star said as quoted by KickOff.
“It was obviously sad to get an injury at that time, but I am a firm believer that there is nothing that just happens. It is just probably preparations for something bigger that is coming.”
Rasebotja joined the Buccaneers in July 2025 from the now defunct SuperSport United. He made 11 appearances for the club before suffering his ACL injury.