Bad news! Orlando Pirates key player to go under the knife

Orlando Pirates missed one key player at the back against Downs and it showed. It remains to be seen how long the defender will be out for.

Orlando Pirates key players, Thabiso Sesane and Thalente Mbatha injured. Image: Orlando Pirates website

Orlando Pirates’ key player Thabiso Sesane is expected to undergo surgery after sustaining an injury last week.

The 24-year-old has looked solid in defence this season for the Buccaneers playing most of their league games. Sesane missed the first league match against Mamelodi Sundowns this past weekend and the Sea Robbers were hammered 4-1.

On their website, Orlando Pirates confirmed that their key player ruptured his tendon during the match against Sekhukhune United.

“Thabiso Sesane has been ruled out after suffering a ruptured tendon during Pirates’ hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sekhukhune United midweek. The injury, which occurred early in the match, has left the young defender in need of surgery,” Pirates said on their site.

The Buccaneers also suffered another blow with midfielder Thalente Mbatha picking up an injury in the Sekhukhune game.

Orlando Pirates loses key players in critical stage of the season

“Meanwhile, Mbatha, the dynamic midfielder and Bafana Bafana international has also been sidelined after failing a late fitness test. Mbatha picked up his injury during the same match against Sekhukhune, following a collision with an opposition player as he attempted to shoot at goal.

“While scans have thankfully ruled out any fractures, the discomfort in his foot has proven too much to overcome in time for today’s clash,” Pirates said in a statement.

Mbatha has been one of the key players for Orlando Pirates this season scoring crucial goals. His form has seen him getting called up by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.

The Pirates medical team hopes that the midfielder will return to action soon.

“The Bucs medical team has been working tirelessly to get Mbatha back on the pitch, but the decision has been made to prioritise his recovery. He will now focus on rehabilitation in the coming days, with hopes of a swift return to action.”

With the season having past the halfway mark, Orlando Pirates are losing players in key areas. Sesane’s injury is a blow for Bucs defence given how Downs dominated Thapelo Xoki. Another defender who has been out since last season is Nigerian defender Olisa Ndah. He is expected to return to action next month and stablise the defence