Orlando Pirates has given a positive injury update on the trio of Thembinkosi Lorch, Miguel Timm and Katlego Otladisa.
The duo of Lorch and Timm are yet to make appearances this season. They have been sidelined with minor injuries they picked up in the latter stages of the 2022/23 campaign.
Both players were key for the Soweto giants last season as they completed a double. The Ghosts clinched the MTN8 title and the Nedbank Cup.
As for new signing Otladisa [from Marumo Gallants], he was unlucky as he picked up a knock on his debut against Stellenbosch FC, where the Soweto giants suffered a 1-0 defeat in their league opener.
As a result, this led to the 26-year-old missing Pirates’ last league encounter at Orlando Stadium against Royal AM. Pirates beat Royal AM 4-2.
LORCH, TIMM AND OTLADISA RETURN TO FULL TRAINING
The club revealed that the trio are edging close to making a return and could resume full training with the rest of the team in the coming days.
The three players are therefore ruled out of the MTN8 quarter-final showdown when Pirates host Sekhukhune United on Saturday, 12 August, in Soweto.
On the other hand, Babina Noko will tackle Bucs without one of their key players Vusimuzi Mncube. The attacker is serving out the last match in his red-card suspension. He was given his marching orders in Sekhukhune’s opening game of the new season against Mamelodi Sundowns
Another good news shared by the Sea Robbers is on the new signings Lesedi Kapinga and Karim Kamvuidi. The pair is also close to making their debuts. Kapinga was a free agent after leaving Mamelodi Sundowns, and Kamvuidi joined Pirates from Maritzburg United.
OTHER ORLANDO PIRATES PLAYERS SIDELINES WITH INJURIES
A few days ago, the Soweto giants also revealed that Kermit Erasmus, Vincent Pule, and Kabelo Dlamini are also all nursing injuries.
The positive is that all the injury setbacks are not long-term. All the players will be back at training and on the field of play once there is no longer discomfort and pain. This was confirmed by Kutlwano Molefe, who is part of Pirates’ medical team.
“As a medical department, we have acted swiftly to address the injuries, and this is key in ensuring the swift turnaround of the injured players to getting ready,” said Molefe. “Through these interventions, we are confident these players will be back soon.”
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