- Orlando Pirates utility man Kamoego Sebelebele sustained a meniscus injury during the MTN8 final loss to Mamelodi Sundowns and has since undergone surgery
- Sebelebele is set to miss up to six weeks of action, with Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou already working around a thin squad at right-back
- The injury rules Sebelebele out of the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs on 30 October, with Bulelani Sigomoshe stepping in at right-back
Orlando Pirates will be without Kamoego Sebelebele for approximately six weeks after the utility man suffered a meniscus injury during the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns, with the defender already having gone under the knife.
Sebelebele was substituted during Pirates' 2-0 defeat to Sundowns in that final and was spotted on crutches and in a protective boot during the post-match medal ceremony, raising immediate concerns about the severity of his condition.
Ouaddou Left Short at Right-Back
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou had initially expressed cautious optimism about Sebelebele's prognosis after the MTN8 final. "I still hope that it's not so bad, but we'll have some more news, I think, soon," Ouaddou said, as quoted by Soccer Laduma. He added that Sebelebele would not be available for the CAF Champions League but left the door open for a quicker return: "We hope it's not so bad."
According to SoccerBeat, however, the injury is more serious than first indicated. Sebelebele has undergone surgery and faces up to six weeks on the sidelines, a significant blow given that right-back is already a position where Ouaddou's options are limited. The former TSG Galaxy player, traditionally a winger, had impressed since making the switch to right-back following his signing last year.
The 23-year-old had already missed Pirates' PSL fixture against his former club TSG Galaxy last Tuesday and their CAF Champions League trip to face African Stars in Namibia.
Busy Fixture Run Ahead Without Key Man
Bulelani Sigomoshe has filled in at right-back across those two matches and is expected to retain the role for the foreseeable future. Pirates host African Stars in the Champions League second leg on Friday before facing Milford FC in the Carling Knockout Round of 16 on 24 October.
The most high-profile fixture Sebelebele will miss is the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs on 30 October. A league clash with Siwelele FC on 4 November follows before the November international break, during which Sebelebele would also have been unavailable for Bafana Bafana's double-header against Benni McCarthy's Kenya on 13 and 17 November.
Source: Briefly News
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