Orlando Pirates have given an injury update ahead of their Nedbank Cup last-16 clash with Venda Football Academy.
The Buccaneers enter the tie against the Motsepe Foundation Championship side as favourites, having won six out of their last eight games in all competitions.
VFA, meanwhile, have won just one of their last five matches, and are only sitting in 14th place on the log – five points ahead of the relegation spot.
Pirates confirmed that Thabang Monare, Goodman Mosele and Sandile Shandu will all remain sidelined for Saturday’s clash.
“Experienced midfielder Thabang Monare has been one of the notable absentees from the match day squad over the past month, with his last appearance in the starting XI coming against Mamelodi Sundowns in early February,” the club stated.
“This has been due to a thigh muscle strain reported in the lead-up to the recent home league fixture against Maritzburg United, which also forced him to miss the subsequent Soweto Derby clashes against Kaizer Chiefs and Swallows, respectively.
“The player has made some progress in recovering from the knock, and is expected to return to training next week.
“Monare is joined on the injury list by Goodman Mosele, who is scheduled to return to full training in the coming weeks along with Bandile Shandu.
“The 23-year-old midfielder is expected to start light training by the end of the current week after picking up an ankle ligament injury, while Shandu is also scheduled to return before the end of the month after treatment on a stiff hamstring.”
However, Innocent Maela, Olisa Ndah and Richard Ofori are back in training after their recent injuries.
“Other recent additions to the Bucs injury list include captain Innocent Maela, who had a relatively short spell on the sidelines after he sustained a left-foot contusion against Chiefs and has since resumed training,” the club added.
“Similarly, his defensive partner Olisa Ndah is also back at training after picking up a knock in his cameo at FNB Stadium.
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“Meanwhile, there are encouraging news relating to goalkeeper Richard Ofori, who has been discharged by the Medical team and is back at full training after being sidelined since November last year.”
Pirates take on VFA at Orlando Stadium at 20:00 on Saturday.
