Betway Premiership giants Orlando Pirates are set to introduce a young talented player this week.
ORLANDO PIRATES TO INTRODUCE MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI
According to the Sea Robbers DStv Diski Challenge coach Joseph Makhanya, Jose Riveiro has promoted his center back and captain Mbokazi, 19.
This comes after the club confirmed injuries to three central defenders: Olisa Ndah, Tapelo Xoki and Sandile Mthethwa.
“This platform – DStv Diski Challenge is created for these boys,” Makhanya told the SuperSport website, as per iDiski Times.
“If you look at where Mbekezeli Mbokazi comes from, it was his first season last season but the strides he has made have been nothing short of amazing.
“Soon there’s an announcement that would be made, where we will no longer see Mbokazi in the DDC.
“You must think back where he is coming from, all the way from Hluhluwe. It was even difficult to talk to him about tactics, so you needed to make sure that you speak to him in his own language, and he became comfortable and once he became comfortable, he became a leader,” the former Orlando Pirates winger added.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi in action for South Africa’s U20 team. Image: tmscouts/Instagram.
“He is now a leader, and this is what Pirates is about, giving opportunities to youngsters from all different spheres of the country. The Diski Challenge is about giving chances to the young ones, we have seen how Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] and Mohau [Mohau Nkota] have progressed, they are all coming from this group.
“Mbekezeli has shown enough of what he wants, maybe next week he will be training with the first team fulltime. It means it is one trophy won, which is something I’m very proud of.
“Rele is winning matches at the first team, and Nkota is waiting to win matches. Mbekezeli will be there to stop goals for the first team.
“I am happy that when Rele got a chance he took it and after him all the players started believing,” Makhanya, who also graduated from the Orlando Pirates juniors in the early 2000s, concluded.
INJURY NEWS
According to the club’s latest post, Orlando Pirates will be without the likes of Olisa Ndah, Tapelo Xoki, Zakhele Lepasa and Bandile Shandu.
Full Statement by the club:
“Orlando Pirates will play host to newly promoted club Magesi FC at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday in their Carling Black Label Cup opener. Unfortunately, the Buccaneers will be without key defender Olisa Ndah, who faces an extended period on the sidelines.
“The Nigerian international who missed out on playing the MTN8 final after suffering an injury in the league match against Polokwane City, is expected to be out on the sidelines for a lengthy spell. The Bucs medical department has confirmed that the 26-year-old has suffered a tibia fracture. Due to the location and nature of the injury; the decision on surgery is not straightforward but based on this type of injury, Ndah has been ruled out for the rest of the year.
In addition to Ndah’s injury, the medical department provided updates on other players in recovery:
Thalente Mbatha
“Continues to undergo rehabilitation regarding the injury he suffered in Pirates 3-1 win over Stellenbosch FC in the MTN8. The Bucs medical team will continue to monitor his progress this week before clearing him to return to full training.
Bandile Shandu
“Has started full training with the team. He has also begun playing 35 minutes for friendly matches. This load will increase every week until he reaches 90 minutes without feeling any discomfort.
Tapelo Xoki
“Has been cleared to return to full training , with focus on agility drills before being allowed to participate in friendly matches.
Goodman Mosele
“Is currently undergoing intermediate rehabilitation phase. He has started jogging and the team has slowly introduced heavy loaded weight training.
Zakhele Lepasa
“Like Mosele, Lepasa is also currently undergoing intermediate rehabilitation phase. He has started running on the field and strength training.
Thabiso Lebitso
“Has started running as part of his progression. Scheduled to start plyometric training as of next week.
Continues with external biokinetic training to improve strength in hamstring and quadriceps.
Sandile Mthethwa
“Sustained an abdominal muscle strain during training. He is attending rehabilitation sessions with a visceral therapist that deals with this type of injuries.
Ethan Visagie
“Sustained a right ankle sprain during training. Post orthopaedic consultation; conservative treatment was suggested as strategy for his recovery,” Orlando Pirates concluded.
