Orlando Pirates FC head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is walking with a sense of trepidation around Sihle Nduli after the midfielder suffered a nasty injury in his first match back from a lengthy layoff. The defending league champions were held to a 1-1 draw by AmaZulu in a league match played at Kings Park Stadium on Wednesday evening.
What happened to Sihle Nduli?
Nduli, who had made his long-awaited return from an injury he suffered against Golden Arrows during the first round of last season, had to be stretchered off after an over-the-top tackle by Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya in the 55th minute. It is a heartbreaking turn of events that even moved opposition coach Arthur Zwane to offer an apology on behalf of his player in his post-match TV interview.
Why it matters for Orlando Pirates FC
For his previous injury, the former Stellenbosch FC man underwent foot surgery and earning a starting berth in only the side's second league match of the campaign proved how key he is to the set-up. Ouaddou confirmed that the club would make further assessments on the player's situation.
What comes next?
The stalemate, in a match where Bucs missed a lot of chances, leaves them with four points from their opening two matches. Up next is Chippa United at the same venue on Sunday at 15:00. League standing: 2nd in Premier Soccer League, 3 pts, 1W-0D-0L from 1 games, recent form DW. Goals this season: 2 scored, 0 conceded (+2 goal difference).
