Ahead of Orlando Pirate’s CAF Confederation Cup tie against Enyimba, doubts over the fitness of first choice goalkeeper Richard Ofori remains a problem due to the undisclosed muscle injury he sustained against ES Setif last week.
The Pirates goalkeeper was taken off after 15 minutes into the 0-0 stalemate against ES Setif last week in their group opener in Accra, Ghana, and was replaced by Siyabonga Mpontshane.
“I don’t have 100 per cent information but it’s a muscle problem. I think it was bad, but we will get more information in the next few days, but it does not look good,” said Orlando Pirates manager Josef Zinnbauer as per Phakaaathi.
With the presence of quality backup goalkeepers in Wayne Sandilands and Mpontshane, the Ghana Vice Captain’s absence may not be missed but the same could not be said for some other parts of the squad.
“We have injured players and we get some players back, you saw Tshegofatso Mabasa came in, but we don’t have muscle problems, we have broken legs and swollen ankles,” Zinnbauer continued.
“The ankles are a problem at the moment. We have a lot of players who have broken toes. It’s not a muscle problem or an intensity problem or even a conditioning problem. The problem is always in the duel.”
Their options in attack are also limited with Frank Mhango and Mabasa the fit forwards in the squad with a possible return for Zakhele Lepasa up front still unclear.
Thembinkosi Lorch, the Pirates’ star midfield schemer’s status is yet to be decided for the group A clash against the Nigerian side.
With the Buccaneers yet to record a win in the competition, the potential absence of some of their stars would come as a major blow for Zinnbauer and company. Should they lose to Enyimba and other results don’t go their way, it could leave them in a difficult position to advance through to the next stage.