Moremi In Line For Pirates Return

Tshepang Moremi during the Betway Premiership match between Kruger United and Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates could welcome back Tshepang Moremi when they return to Betway Premiership action against Durban City at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Thursday.

The Buccaneers have spent the past two weeks with their attention firmly on the CAF Champions League, successfully negotiating their preliminary-round tie against La Cure Waves to progress to the next stage of the competition.

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The focus now switches back to domestic matters for Orlando Pirates, with the Soweto giants set to resume their league campaign against Durban City — and Tshepang Moremi is in line for a return.

Moremi has served his two-match CAF Champions League suspension, meaning his absence from the Buccaneers’ recent continental fixtures was not injury-related. The attacker is now available for selection as Pirates switch their focus back to the Betway Premiership.

Pirates had confirmed ahead of Saturday’s second leg against La Cure Waves that the attacker would serve the final match of his suspension in that fixture.

“Tshepang Moremi will serve his second and final match of his suspension. He will be available for selection in the next round, should the Buccaneers progress,” the club confirmed on their official website.

Champions League Progress Secured

With Pirates having subsequently beaten La Cure Waves 3-1 at the Orlando Amstel Arena to progress in the CAF Champions League, Moremi is now available again for the league campaign, subject to coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s selection.

The timing could be significant for the Buccaneers as they look to make up ground in the Betway Premiership. Pirates currently have 13 points from five matches and trail early leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have collected 20 points from eight games, by seven points.

Three Games in Hand

The important factor for the defending champions is that they have three matches in hand on the Brazilians, giving them an opportunity to close the gap as the campaign progresses. Their immediate task, though, is Durban City, with Pirates returning to league action at home on Thursday.

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Injury List Still a Concern

Moremi’s availability provides Ouaddou with another attacking option as he manages a squad that has had to balance domestic commitments with the demands of continental football. However, the Pirates coach will also continue to monitor the club’s injury situation, with Andre De Jong, Thalente Mbatha, Evidence Makgopa, Gamphani Lungu and Sihle Nduli all confirmed as sidelined ahead of the second leg against La Cure Waves.

On a positive note, captain Nkosinathi Sibisi had recovered from injury and was available for selection for Saturday’s Champions League fixture, with the defender eventually coming on as a second-half substitute for Lebone Seema against the Mauritian champions.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix 

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