New MTN8 champions Orlando Pirates are preparing for Carling Knockout action this weekend, but Olisa Ndah will be missing from the backline. Coach Jose Riveiro has responded with great calm and confidence.
CARLING KNOCKOUT: ORLANDO PIRATES VS MAGESI FC
As confirmed in last week’s last 16 draw, the Sea Robbers will be at home to Betway Premiership rookies Magesi on Saturday at 15:00 from the Orlando Stadium.
OLISA NDAH
According to Orlando Pirates, Ndah will be out for the rest of 2024.
“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.“
ORLANDO PIRATES COACH JOSE RIVEIRO NOT WORRIED
“Olisa was in an exceptional moment in his career and it’s a pity that he can’t be part of the team for the upcoming months but we have solutions within the squad. We don’t have to [maybe panic] … it’s not a headache in that sense. We have quality in the squad, enough to immediately find a player that will replace [him] in the final already,” Riveiro said via Sowetan.
“Olisa didn’t play and we played an international player like Sibisi [in the MTN8 final]. Tapelo [Xoki] is also coming back soon … we have our captain Innocent Maela [who can also play at centre-back], we have many players who can play that role. The headache is always the same … to find the starting XI in a squad of 39 players, so this week isn’t the exception in that sense,” concluded the Orlando Pirates tactician.
WHO IS THE BEST REPLACEMENT FOR OLISA NDAH?
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