Orlando Pirates Hit by Injury Concerns Ahead of MTN 8 Clash Against Polokwane City

• Orlando Pirates returned from a pre-season tour in Spain with multiple injury concerns ahead of their MTN 8 quarter-final clash against Polokwane City
• Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou confirmed several players are nursing minor injuries, raising doubts about their availability for the crucial 2 August fixture
• New signing Oswin Appollis missed the final two games due to injury, and his fitness remains uncertain as the Buccaneers prepare for the tournament opener

Orlando Pirates have returned from its pre-season tour of Spain, but the excitement of their European outing was slightly overshadowed by a growing list of injury concerns as they prepare to launch their MTN 8 campaign.

The Buccaneers travelled to Spain in high spirits, using the tour as an opportunity to integrate new signings, build chemistry within the squad, and fine-tune their tactics ahead of the new season. However, the intensity of the matches and training appeared to have taken its toll on several players.

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Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou confirmed the concerns during an interview with Isolezwe, where he revealed that the team picked up several knocks while abroad.

“It is expected that there will be some minor injuries and swelling in various players since football is played by young men,” said Ouaddou, adding that such physical strain is part and parcel of the game, especially in pre-season, where players push themselves to full capacity.

While he did not specify the names of all affected players, Ouaddou indicated that a number of them might be doubtful for Pirates’ MTN 8 quarter-final clash against Polokwane City, which is scheduled for 2 August. The news has left fans anxious, considering the importance of the tournament and the team’s ambitions for silverware this season.

See the tweet below:

Among those facing fitness issues are Oswin Appollis, one of the club’s most exciting recruits. The winger was part of the Spanish tour and featured in some of the early matches, but he was notably absent in the final two friendly fixtures against La Liga sides Las Palmas and Granada.

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Ouaddou touched on Appollis’s situation, confirming that the player suffered an injury that ruled him out of those matches. While the coach did not disclose specific details regarding the extent of the injury, his comments did little to ease concerns about the winger’s availability for the MTN 8 opener.

The Buccaneers played a total of four friendly matches during their Spanish stint, gaining valuable match fitness and testing themselves against quality European opposition. Despite the setbacks, Ouaddou remains hopeful that the squad will recover in time for the start of domestic competitions.

See the tweet below:

As the countdown to 2 August continues, the spotlight will remain firmly on the Pirates’ medical team and their ability to restore the players back to full fitness. Fans will be holding their breath, hoping the team can field a strong starting XI and make a statement in their opening cup fixture.

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Football expert advises Relebohile Mofokeng on next move

Briefly News previously reported that a football expert has weighed in on the Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng's ongoing transfer saga.

The journalist advised Mofokeng on which route to take next regarding his promising football career.

Source: Briefly News