Orlando Pirates have issued a fitness update on midfielder Sipho Mbule ahead of Wednesday’s Betway Premiership clash with Richards Bay FC at Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto.
The 27-year-old Bafana Bafana star has missed the Buccaneers’ last four games due to injury. However, his absence appears not to have been felt by the Soweto giants, who have Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi in encouraging form.
Pirates go into the Richards Bay game seeking to dislodge Mamelodi Sundowns from the apex of the top-flight league standings. The Brazilians went to the top after beating Orbit College 2-0 away from home on Tuesday night.
Out to cut a three-point gap and reclaim the lead, Pirates need to win by a two-goal margin to enjoy a goal-difference advantage again. The situation at the top of the table has thrown the title race into an intriguing affair between the two traditional giants.
They have reached a stage of the season where key players are needed in every match. That leaves Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou wanting a large pool of players to select from on Wednesday night [19:30].
IS MBULE FIT TO PLAY AGAINST RICHARDS BAY?
“Their [Pirates] mission has been boosted by the availability of the in-form Kamogelo Sebelebele, who is eligible for selection after sitting out the trip to Polokwane [against Polokwane City FC] through a one-match suspension,” Pirates confirmed.
“Midfielder Sipho Mbule is meanwhile back in contention for a place in the matchday squad after a brief spell on the sidelines.”
However, with Mbule available for selection, it is to be seen if he will start, given how Mofokeng and Maswanganyi have been performing. Even before the injury setback, Mbule has been struggling for form since returning from the 2025 AFCON.
He has featured in just two games since he came back from the continental tournament. To some, it is not surprising to see that he has been snubbed by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who excluded him from his preliminary squad for the upcoming international friendly matches against Panama.
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