Orlando Pirates star ruled out for 'a long time' with injury

Orlando Pirates’ Lebitso ruled out for ‘a long time’

Who will step up to replace him?

Orlando Pirates take to the road for the first time in their 2024/25 Betway Premiership campaign for Sunday’s clash against Richards Bay. Image: @orlandopirates/X

Orlando Pirates right-back Thabiso Lebitso will play no further part this season after a serious shoulder injury against Royal AM.

LEBITSO RULED OUT FOR THE SEASON

Thabiso Lebitso joined Orlando Pirates in January on a free transfer from Chippa. It took him a while to make an impression on the first team but when he did, he did so in style with a goal against Kaizer Chiefs in March. Pirates’ 3-2 win over their Soweto rivals was undoubtedly a highlight for the adventurous right back, but now he’ll have to watch the rest of the campaign from the sidelines. Thabiso Monyane is an obvious candidate to deputise for Lebitso. Monyane was introduced as a substitute in Pirates’ 4-0 win against Royal AM. Patrick Maswanganyi, Thalente Mbatha, Relebohile Mofokeng and Kabelo Dlamini were on the score sheet for Jose Riveiro’s team.

“The game between Orlando Pirates and Royal AM has brought mixed news. Just as Orlando Pirates celebrated a commanding 4-0 victory over Royal AM in an all-important DStv Premiership on Sunday afternoon, the Buccaneers have suffered a significant setback with the injury to Thabiso Lebitso. The Bucs medical team has revealed to Orlandopiratesfc.com that the 28-year-old right-back has suffered a broken collarbone, which requires surgical intervention. The prognosis of how long Lebitso will be out for will be known post his procedure,” it said on the club’s official website.

Lebitso Kaizer Chiefs — Lebitso scores a goal against Kaizer Chiefs. Image: X

UP TO 10 PLAYERS COULD LEAVE PIRATES

33-year-old Kermit Erasmus is out of contract at the end of the campaign. ”Romeo’ joined the Buccaneers from Sundowns in September 2022 after feverish speculation linking him with a switch to Kaizer Chiefs. Other senior players with expiring contracts are Hotto, Richard Ofori, Siyabonga Mpontshane, Thabang Monare and Fortune Makaringe. Meanwhile, Olisa Ndah, Sandile Mthethwa and Zakhele Lepasa also need to renew their terms otherwise they’ll leave for free. If tempting offers come in for valuable playing personnel like Ndah, the Pirates board may have to consider them.