Orlando Pirates have faced a tough challenge in recent matches due to the absence of their star playmaker, Patrick Maswanganyi, who has missed the last two games due to injury. This has forced the team to find alternatives and rely on other players to step up, not just Tito.
Before their match against Chippa United, the club confirmed that Maswanganyi would be unavailable due to a grade one strain sustained in their previous encounter with Cape Town City.
“Tito sustained a grade one strain in our match against Cape Town City. We will continue to monitor his situation and provide the technical team with daily updates on his progress,” said the Orlando Pirates medical team.
Without Maswanganyi, the team has struggled to fill the void left by his absence, leading to inconsistent performances.
Can the Buccaneers Perform Without Their Star Playmaker?
Over the past two seasons, Patrick Maswanganyi has been a key figure for Orlando Pirates, making 27 league appearances last season and contributing five goals and five assists. His influence goes beyond the numbers, as he plays a vital role in orchestrating every attack. His standout performances earned him the PSL Players’ Player of the Season award last season.
Without Maswanganyi, the Buccaneers often struggle to create chances and challenge opposition defenses effectively. In his absence, they have had to rely on other players like Relebohile Mofokeng to step up, though this hasn’t always yielded positive results.
A Lengthy Injury List for the Buccaneers
Unfortunately for Pirates, Maswanganyi isn’t the only key player currently unavailable. Several others are also sidelined with injuries, adding to the pressure on the team. Here’s a look at the current injury list:
- Miguel Timm (Ankle) – Expected to return to full training in 7-14 days.
- Thabiso Monyane (Hamstring) – Set to start high-speed running next week.
- Zakhele Lepasa (Ankle) – Has started field-based training with the strength and conditioning team.
- Olisa Ndah (Shin) – Returned to full training and is working on match fitness.
- Thabiso Lebitso (Ankle) – Undergoing post-surgery physiotherapy for acute management.
- Thabiso Sesane (Achilles) – Also recovering from successful surgery and attending physiotherapy.
Can Orlando Pirates Depend on Other Players?
With the ongoing injuries and the absence of Patrick Maswanganyi, the question arises: Can Orlando Pirates rely on other players to fill the gap? Are they too dependent on Tito’s brilliance, or do they already have the squad depth to cope without him?
Should the club consider adding new players to the roster who can share the creative load, or do they have enough talent within the squad to step up when needed?
