The 27-year-old has missed just 15 of Pirates’ last 200 official games going as far back as 2010/11 and many will agree that he is Pirates’ midfield engine, though the statistics suggest the Buccaneers will be just fine without him on Saturday when they take on Al Ahly at Orlando Stadium.
The Buccaneers and the Egyptians meet in the semi-finals first leg clash of the CAF Confederation Cup and ‘Ace’ will miss the match because of an ankle injury he sustained against Polokwane City on September 22 at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Statistics, however, indicate that Bucs’ chances are not diminished by Manyisa’s absence. In fact, Pirates have been in this situation before and came out unscathed.
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On 20 April 2013 Pirates faced TP Mazembe at Orlando Stadium in the first leg of the last 16 of the CAF Champions League and won 3-1 without Manyisa who at the time had suffered a groin injury. On that day, Lehlogonolo Masalesa partnered Onyekachi Okonkwo in central midfield, with the latter giving Pirates the lead as early as the second minute.
Pirates have won eight, drew five and lost two games (both against Bloemfontein Celtic last season) in the 15 matches that Manyisa wasn’t involved either as a starter or substitute since 2010/11.
Since making his debut for Bucs in 2008/09, the Mohlakeng-born midfielder has started 203 games, came on a substitute 14 times and has scored 27 goals.
Meanwhile, the club’s head coach Eric Tinkler will select the final 18-man squad on Friday evening and to add to Manyisa, they will also be without Happy Jele and Siyabonga Sangweni who are serving suspensions while Thandani Ntshumayelo faces a late fitness test.
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