Orlando Pirates will resume their DStv Premiership campaign still haunted by a long list of players nursing injuries.
Orlando Pirates return to league action on Saturday when they play against Richards Bay at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban.
About 10 players are affected. And while the international Fifa break may have given the Buccaneers technical team a much-needed respite, the Buccaneers medical room is hard at work.
After a slump, Orlando Pirates are trying to claw their way back into the top half of the league table, having registered two straight wins over Sekhukhune United and rivals Kaizer Chiefs in their last two matches. They are currently sitting on number seven with 15 points after 10 matches.
The increase in the number of matches has clearly taken its toll on the Bucs squad, resulting in numerous injury setbacks this season. But the 12 days provided by the Fifa calendar break have offered some much-needed recovery time for head coach Jose Riveiro.
Most notably, Innocent Maela, Kermit Erasmus and Paseka Mako are the biggest casualties in Bucs’ sick bay. Monyane was injured in the early minutes of the recent Soweto derby and had to pulled out. Mako returned from national duty needing surgery on his knee.
Maela has hurt his groin while Erasmus also got a niggle in the intense derby as well.
Full list of injuries:
Kermit Erasmus (Hamstring)
Kermit is expected to return to full training on Tuesday (today) after recovering from a hamstring strain in the 1-0 win over Chiefs.
Paseka Mako (Knee)
Paseka returned from national team duty complaining of discomfort in his knee. Tests were carried upon his return which showed that the 29-year-old had suffered a PCL tear ruling him out for up to six months. Mako has undergone a very successful surgery and is already one month post his operation.
Lesedi Kapinga (Hamstring)
Kapinga has recovered from hamstring strain which sidelined him for the past month. He has now returned to full training.
Thabiso Monyane (Knee)
Monyane suffered a tear of the MCL in his knee also in the Soweto Derby. He is currently in the acute phase of rehabilitation and is expected to return to training in December.
Innocent Maela (Adductor)
Maela continues to make positive strides towards recovery after opting to undergo corrective surgery on a niggling groin strain. The Bucs captain is already four weeks in his recovery and is expected to return to training also next month.
Kabelo Dlamini (Ankle)
Good news for the Buccaneers is that of the recovery of Kabelo Dlamini who returned to full training last week after suffering a knee injury as well.
Chaine still weeks away from recovery
Sipho Chaine (Knee)
Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine continues to receive treatment after suffering a Grade 1 tear in the Carling Black Label Knockout clash against Cape Town Spurs. The nature of the injury has a six to eight weeks recovery period and Chaine is now four weeks post injury.
Makhehlene Makhaula (Hamstring)
Makhaula is only week away from making full recovery after spending the last 18 days recovering from a hamstring strain.
Azola Matrose (Shin)
Azola rejoined the club at the beginning of the season carrying an injury he suffered while on loan at Chippa United. The winger suffered a fracture which required surgery. The 20-year-old continues to receive treatment and should return to full training in the new year.
