Orlando Pirates were training at the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday to prepare for Saturday’s MTN8 final set for the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Pirates take on AmaZulu as Jose Riveiro eyes his first piece of silverware on South African soil.
Pirates are coming from a 1-0 Soweto derby loss to bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs and would want to make amends by winning the MTN8 Cup.
Here are some of the things FARPost spotted as Pirates held their Tuesday training session in Rosettenville.
LORCH ABSENT
Thembinkosi Lorch was a notable absentee as Riveiro took his players through the paces. Lorch has not featured for the Buccaneers since August.
His last appearance for the Buccaneers was on the 21st of August 2022, when he came on as a substitute against SuperSport United. Six weeks later, Riveiro said Lorch had picked a minor injury in training.
“He hasn’t been available for the last one and a half months, if I’m not mistaken, as he last played in the SuperSport United game,” explained Riveiro last month.
“I hope he will make it soon [be available for selection].” Over two months after that SuperSport appearance, Lorch was not even part of the group preparing for the final.
MABENA STILL TRAINING
Former Bucs striker Ndumiso Mabena is still training with the team. It remains unclear whether the club has made a decision on him, but he remains part of the group.
The last time Riveiro spoke about him, he said his return to the club rested with management. The 35-year-old turned out for the Ghost between 2009 and 2014 before switching to Bloemfontein Celtic and, subsequently, Royal AM.
He is free to join any club of his choice following his unceremonious departure from Royal AM. “Let’s see what happens in future and what management decides about Mabena’s future in the team,” said Riveiro.
50/50 FOR MAELA
The Pirates captain Innocent Maela limped off the Soweto derby with a hamstring injury. However, the Bafana Bafana defender could still feature over the weekend should team doctors clear him.
“We’re still busy with the team doctors and physios, but I feel good. We’ll see as the week goes by; nothing confirmed yet,” he told journalists before the training session.
Another player seemingly falling in that category is Deon Hotto, who sat out part of the session.
PULE REGAINING FITNESS
Vincent Pule seems to be working hard to recover from the injury that has kept him out of the Pirates team.
He has yet to feature the Soweto giants since the 4th of October, when they lost 2-0 to Sekhukhune. Pule has not played since then nor made an appearance on the bench.
Meanwhile, Evidence Makgopa continues to prepare for his return to the pitch. Of course, he will not feature in the final on Saturday, but he seems to be inching closer to a return.
