Orlando Pirates veteran defender Tapelo Xoki has provided an update on his injury setback that kept him out of action in the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.
Xoki has been a notable absentee from Pirates’ matchday squad due to a long-term injury. The Soweto giants have remained a competitive side in the PSL despite missing one of their most experienced defenders.
Pirates have already collected two trophies after winning the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup titles in the first half of the season under the guidance of head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
The former African champions have established themselves as one of the strongest sides in the Premiership, and they are in a fierce race with Mamelodi Sundowns for the league title. The Chloorkop-based outfit has won the league for the past eight consecutive seasons.
On the other hand, Pirates are aiming to end their long-standing drought in the league after last clinching the trophy in 2012, a record they are looking to change in the current season.
The Sea Robbers are at the top of the league table with 52 points in 22 games, while Sundowns are in second position with 50 points and one game in hand, having played 21 matches.
WHAT TAPELO XOKI SAID ABOUT HIS INJURY AT PIRATES
Pirates are chasing the league title without the services of Xoki, who is yet to feature for the club this season as he’s nursing an injury. The centre-back has been with Pirates for three seasons after signing with the club in 2022 from AmaZulu FC.
With the 2025/26 season in the business end, the 30-year-old has issued the latest update on his injury, revealing that he’s working with the team physio to return to full fitness.
“I’m grateful for life, by the way, but I’m grateful for our physios as well, and I’m grateful to everyone at the club who supported me throughout the journey. So I’m busy with rehab currently, and it’s going well. I’m just taking it one game at a time.” Xoki said.
During his tenure with the Pirates, Xoki has made 84 appearances across all competitions, contributing eight goals and three assists while anchoring a defence that secured numerous clean sheets.
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