Orlando Pirates' leading striker Evidence Makgopa may have to start afresh in fighting for his place in the team on his return from injury, the Siya crew has learnt.
Makgopa has been a notable absentee from Bucs' line-ups since getting an injury in March against Polokwane City.
Read – Stylianou: I Don't Think There Is A Coach For Chiefs In SA
While it was initially predicted that the forward wouldn't take long on the sidelines, the injury has forced the Bafana Bafana striker to miss five league matches, as well as two others in the Nedbank Cup.
During his absence, Tshegofatso Mabasa has emerged as the leading man up front for the Buccaneers and has scored crucial goals in the team's resurgence.
The former Bloemfontein Celtic man has bagged four goals in the league plus an assist, as well as three other strikes and two assists in the Nedbank Cup, since returning from a loan spell with Moroka Swallows in January.
Before his injury, Makgopa had been making progress having netted six goals and assisted on two occasions across all competitions, having also been at the Africa Cup of Nations where he contributed immensely to Bafana's third place finish.
With Mabasa enjoying a good run of form, and Pirates firing on all cylinders as goals have been coming from all over the field for the team lately, Makgopa might have to wait a little longer before reclaiming his place in coach Jose Riveiro's starting elevens on his return.
"There is no shortage of goals for Pirates at the moment, and everyone is willing to take his chance when on the field. Zakhele Lepasa was playing regularly and scoring goals earlier in the season and the other guys had to wait for their chance," said the source.
"Mabasa came back and is doing well meaning that others also have to wait for their chance. Evidence will come back and wait for his chance. The team is doing well and scoring goals, and that's what is important," the source said.
Read: Chiefs' Coaching Hunt! 'All Good Coaches Are With Clubs'
When he joined Pirates in 2022 from Baroka FC, Makgopa had to wait until January of the following year for his first league match due to an injury.
The towering forward finished the season with six appearances across all competitions – all as a substitute but he had later managed to work his way up to be the team's leading man until his latest setback.
