Orlando Pirates have a few injury concerns with some of the club's key players ahead of their crucial Nedbank Cup tie against AmaZulu on Sunday.
The Buccaneers would have hoped to have all their stars back to full fitness during the AFCON break, after the side was ravaged by injuries in the first half of the season.
However, Pirates' first team coach Mandla Ncikazi has revealed that three key players are still battling with their respective injuries ahead of Pirates' return to action. This issue is something that Ncikazi has bemoaned the entire campaign.
The likes of Thembinkosi Lorch are amongst the players in doubt for Sunday's clash against Usuthu.
"Still, I haven't had an opportunity of having the full team but its better than what it was before. [Vincent] Pule is still out, [Zakhele] Lepasa is back but not at his best yet, [Thembinkosi] Lorch, the same," he told journalists at the Nedbank Cup launch.
"I hoped this period would give us an opportunity but there was [DStv] Compact Cup, there is also the pandemic that is engulfing the whole country. So it is better than what it was before and hopefully we can be at full strength soon and Pirates can start playing with their best team without disrespecting other players that have been playing," Ncikazi said.
A boost for the Buccaneers is the return of Gabadinho Mhango and Olisah Ndah who have returned to the team following their exploits at the 2022 AFCON in Cameroon for Nigeria and Malawi respectively.
Mhango in particular is one player that will be raring to go, having come off an inspiring tournament for the Flames as well as a renewed contract at the club could see Gaba get back to his devastating best.
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