Orlando Pirates give an update on their injury list

Orlando Pirates’ medical team have issued an update on the injury situation ahead of their away league encounter against Maritzburg United.

The Buccaneers will make a trip to Harry Gwala Stadium for the DStv Premiership clash on Sunday at 17:30.

Several first-team players are currently at various stages of recovery after picking up knocks during the first few weeks of the season.

Orlando Pirates were last in action on Saturday when they clinched a 2-1 MTN 8 quarterfinal victory over Royal AM at Chatsworth Stadium. The result was claimed without the services of five players, with one more name added to the injury list in the aftermath of what was a physical encounter.

“Midfielder Deon Hotto is the latest addition to the walking wounded after picking up a groin injury and will be in a race against time ahead of the Club’s next fixture as he is currently being assessed by the Medical Team,” the club revealed on Thursday.

“Meanwhile, Thembinkosi Lorch, who sat out the team’s last two outings, is also being monitored continuously after picking up a niggle ahead of last week’s league victory against Marumo Gallants. There is, however, some good news, with Kabelo Dlamini and Tapelo Xoki all back training with the team, following their absence from the match-day squad against Royal AM.

“Dlamini had to be withdrawn early in the second half during the game against Gallants after suffering from what was to later be discovered as a quad contusion. This was minutes before Xoki had to be stretchered off, following a head clash just before the full-time whistle,” they said.

Two more players, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Evidence Makgopa, are both nearing a return to full fitness, having not featured for the club this season.

New signing Makgopa’s Pirates debut has been delayed, and the player is expected back in mid-September due to an ankle injury. At the same time, the Zimbabwean international could be cleared before the Soweto Giants welcome TS Galaxy to Orlando Stadium on 10 September.

Orlando Pirates return to action this coming weekend when they travel to Harry Gwala Stadium for a DStv Premiership clash against Maritzburg United, which takes place on Sunday at 17:30.