Orlando Pirates have been dealt with a big blow ahead their last Betway Premiership clash for 2024 against Magesi FC.
The Buccaneers will face Magesi at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday, 29 December 2024, aiming to close off the year on a high note.
Pirates are heading to this match with their tails high after claiming a resounding 8-1 victory over Marumo Gallants at Orlando Stadium on Christmas Eve.
The impressive win against Gallants kept Pirates within the touching distance in the title race as they are three points away from log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Pirates have collected 24 points and are sitting second on the log standings. They have won eight matches, while losing one in nine league games played this season.
PIRATES TO MISS TSHEGOFATSO MABASA DUE TO SUSPENSION
With the Soweto giants looking to collect maximum points against the Limpopo-based side, they will be without the services of striker Tshegofatso Mabasa.
The goal-poacher is suspended for the match against Magesi after collecting his fourth yellow card of the 2024/25 season.
Mabasa was on the scoresheet when Pirates defeated Gallants. The former Bloemfontein Celtics forward scored a second-half hattrick to walk away with the Man of the Match performance on the day.
Deano Van Rooyen, Boitumelo Radiopane, and Thalente Mbatha were also on target for Pirates.
In the absence of the Golden Boot winner of last season, Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has the option of Evidence Makgopa and Radiopane.
Makgopa has been sharing the scoring responsibilities with Mabasa since the start of the season. Mabasa has scored seven goals in 21 matches across all competitions while Makgopa has also scored seven goals in 17 appearances.
Interestingly, the former Baroka FC attacker was a notable absentee from the Bucs matchday squad against Bahlabane Ba Ntwa.
Meanwhile, Sundowns duo Khuliso Mudau and Ronwen Williams will also be suspended while Stellenbosch FC will miss Sihle Nduli.
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