Orlando Pirates have verified that defender Thabiso Sesane and midfielder Selaelo Rasebotja are key players who are still down for recovery after injuries sustained towards the end of last season. Both players are still under rehabilitation and are not expected to feature in the upcoming Betway Premiership matches. The club will continue to monitor their progress so they can be determined as to when they tackle return to football.
Recovery of Sesane for the Injury During the Previous Season
Sesane, a central defender, sustained an injury towards the end of the last season and has been undergoing physical therapy over the off-season and early season matches. He continues to undergo physical therapy and has not fully recovered and is still a doubt. Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has therefore had to depend on other options, including new signing Lebone Seema and other defending options, to fill the gap.
Midfield Creativity Missing Rasebotja’s Influence
Rasebotja’s absence due to a prolonged recovery period means that no one can provide the flair and dynamism he brings to the middle of the park. He and the Bucs’ specialist creative options are missing, leaving the team to fill the void with the unimaginative combinations of Sipho Mbule and Abdoulaye Mariko. The Bucs have confirmed that both players are still undergoing treatment for injuries sustained at the end of last season and are not fully fit.
Squad Changes and Tactical Effects
With early season form in question, the squad’s depth has again come under scrutiny. The continued absences of Sesane and Rasebotja mean the team will have to depend on the backup squads to deliver. The effects of this shortfall are felt not just in defence but also in the midfield’s ability to manage tempo and generate ideas.
The Pirates are getting ready for their forthcoming matches, which also includes a difficult game against Stellenbosch FC. The team maintains caution. For Sesane and Rasebotja, the coaching staff has to track every aspect of their recovery to know when to ease them back into the team.
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