Orlando Pirates latest: Soweto giants give injury update on star trio

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer admits the club have a few injury problems with the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch still a doubt for their upcoming matches.

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Orlando Pirates’ next game is a DStv Premiership clash against Black Leopards on Thursday, 6 May (17:00) before another league encounter next week on Tuesday, 11 May when they travel to Stellenbosch.

Lorch won’t be fit in time for the Black Leopards tie, but could start training next Monday or Tuesday, while Happy Jele and Terrence Dzvukamanja are also sidelined.

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“I think Lorch can start [on Monday] or after [on Tuesday], maybe with a training session with the team. I hope‚ I don’t know‚” said the German tactician, as quoted by the Sowetan.

“Hopefully he is available for us in the next game or next games.

“I hope Happy Jele is also ready‚ but he can’t make the long ball and that is the problem. He feels the pain but he is also my club captain‚ and we need the experience he has.”

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He added: “We have a long list of problems.

“Dzvukamanja has now seen a second doctor‚ a specialist. He always has pain in an ankle.

“He got a kick against Al Ahli Benghazi in the other leg and now we have to wait. He is an experienced player and we need him.”

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Orlando Pirates are currently fifth in the standings with 39 points after 24 matches.