Orlando Pirates have been hit with another injury blow after Sihle Nduli was taken off against Golden Arrows on Wednesday evening.
The 30-year-old midfielder was stretchered off the field following a knock from Arrows Junior Dion just before half-time. He was replaced by Thalente Mbatha with four minutes remaining in the first half.
The extent of the injury has not yet been revealed, but he is more likely to miss the team’s next match against Richards Bay in the Carling Knockout Cup. Nduli joined the Buccaneers still the season and already established himself as one of the key players under Adeslam Ouaddou.
Can Pirates cope with Nduli’s injury?
The Sea Robbers have enough depth in the defensive midfield department. Masindi Nemtajela and Makhehlene Makhaula can occupy Nduli’s place in the coming weeks.
The 35-year-old’s leadership, ball-winning ability, and composure under pressure are expected to provide much-needed stability to the team’s midfield.
Before his injury back in May, he was one of Orlando Pirates reliable players, especially in the middle of the park. It remains to be seen if he will be given a big role to play under Ouaddou.
Orlando Pirates opened the scoring through Nkosikhona Ndaba. The left-back unleashed a shot, and it found the back of the net after the Arrows defender failed to clear the shot from the goal line.
Arrows equalised in the second half, but the Buccaneers almost immediately took the lead. Substitute Yanela Mbuthuma scored a third to give the MTN8 champions their seventh league win.