Orlando Pirates have been handed a boost with the return to action of a key player as they prepare to host AmaZulu FC in a match deemed Round 2.
Jose Riveiro’s troops will be aiming to make it two on the bounce against Usuthu when the two teams lock horns at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
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Pirates walked away 4-2 winners when the two met in Durban last Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the last eight of the Nedbank Cup.
Ahead of the upcoming league encounter at Orlando Stadium, Pirates confirmed through the club’s official website that striker Evidence Makgopa could be fit to feature on Saturday.
"Another boost for Pirates is the looming return of striker Evidence Makgopa, who is back at training after over a month on the sidelines," the club update read.
Makgopa has not played in a competitive match for the Soweto giants since a 1-0 win over Polokwane City at the start of March, where he had scored the winning goal. Since then, the lanky marksman has missed seven matches in total.
The 23-year-old, though, will find competition stiff upon his return, as Tshegofatso Mabasa has made the number nine role his own in recent matches.
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Mabasa has scored seven goals in Makgopa’s absence, taking his overall tally to 13 for the season across all competitions.
Riveiro also has the option of Zakhele Lepasa, who has scored 10 this season.
Pirates’ match against Usuthu is scheduled to kick off at 17:30.
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