Orlando Pirates receive injury boost ahead of Orbit College tie | OneFootball

Pirates boosted by return of long-term absentee

Photo: Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates have received a massive injury boost with the return of long-term absentee Olisa Ndah, who endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an injury he sustained in the early stages of last season.

The highly rated center-back suffered a Tibia and Fibula fracture during the Soweto giants’ second match of the Betway Premiership campaign against Polokwane City last year in September, ruling him out of action for the remainder of the season.

Overall, Ndah, who was handed the captain’s armband in the absence of the now-departed Innocent Maela on the pitch, made a handful of appearances as he managed to feature in just nine games with a solitary goal across all competitions.

Since joining Pirates from Nigerian Premier League outfit Akwa United in August 2021, Ndah made 81 appearances for the club. He won five domestic cup titles under then-coach Jose Riveiro, who has now taken over the reins at Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

Now, the Nigerian international has been cleared by the Bucs medical team and is available for selection, while the newly elected club Skipper Nkosinathi Sibisi is still recovering from a knock he sustained earlier into the new term.

On the other hand, right-back Deano van Rooyen is doubtful for Pirates’ next outing as he missed the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday after suffering an injury in the league encounter against Stellenbosch FC.

“Deano van Rooyen is again among the doubtful starters after he took no part in cup action on Saturday, following an injury sustained in his side’s last league game,” read the Pirates statement.

“Pirates have however been boosted by the imminent return of defender Olisa Ndah, who has been back at training while fellow center-back and captain Nkosinathi Sibisi continues to recover from a knock picked up earlier in the season.

Having advanced to a fourth consecutive MTN8 final, Pirates will now focus on the Betway Premiership, where they are set to host newly promoted Orbit College at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening (19h30).

The Mswenko Boys will be without the on-loan Bucs trio, including Monnapule Saleng, Yanga Madiba and Thuso Moleleki, who are all not eligible to face their parent club as per the loan agreement between the two teams.