A crucial update on the availability of Deano Van Rooyen has been provided with Orlando Pirates aiming to elbow Mamelodi Sundowns for a place in the final of the MTN8 this weekend.
Pirates and Sundowns produced a thriller that ended in a 1-all stalemate in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-finals last Saturday at Orlando, meaning 'do-or-die' will define the nature of proceedings at Lucas Moripe Stadium tomorrow.
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A setback for Abdeslam Ouaddou's men has since come in the form of injury to right-back Van Rooyen, who had to be stretchered off and replaced by Sipho Mbule in the 20th minute during the midweek league win over Stellenbosch FC.
"I have an idea, but we don’t have the definitive feedback from the medical department. What I can tell you is that the guy will not be available," Ouaddou told journalists at the pre-match press conference.
"We still don’t know exactly ... because we still need to go through some assessments and know deeply about the type of injury."
This presents a challenge of sorts for the head coach, thought it looks likely he will deploy Kamogelo Sebelebele at right wingback like was the case in the first leg, with the MTN8 causing problems with his pace.
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Meanwhile, club captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thabiso Sesane, Tapelo Xoki, and Thabiso Lebitso are understood to be making their way back from their respective injuries.
Good news for the fanbase is that Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Lebone Seema, Deon Hotto, Nkosikhona Ndaba, and Tshepho Mashiolane are available in defence.
