Sebelebele injury blow for Orlando Pirates ahead of Soweto Derby

Orlando Pirates right-back Kamoego Sebelebele will miss up to six weeks, including the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs, after undergoing meniscus surgery.

Orlando Pirates utility man Kamoego Sebelebele will be sidelined for up to six weeks after undergoing surgery for a meniscus injury, ruling him out of the upcoming Soweto Derby. The 2-0 MTN8 final defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns on October 10 was the match where the defender sustained the problem, forcing him off the pitch.

Abdeslam Ouaddou, the Pirates coach, confirmed the timeline and expressed hope the situation was not too severe. "We hope it's not so bad," Ouaddou said after the final. Sebelebele has already missed the league win over TS Galaxy and the Champions League victory against African Stars in Namibia, and was seen on crutches during the post-match ceremony.

Derby impact confirmed

The six-week absence definitively rules Sebelebele out of the season's first Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs at home on October 31. It also makes him unavailable for the Carling Knockout Round of 16 tie against Milford FC on October 24, the league match with Siwelele FC on November 4, and South Africa's international fixtures against Kenya in mid-November.

Squad reshuffle at right-back

With Sebelebele out, Bulelani Sigomoshe has stepped into the right-back role for the last two matches and is expected to retain it. The 22-year-old provided an assist in the 3-0 win over TS Galaxy and started again in the 1-0 Champions League victory against African Stars last Friday. Coach Ouaddou is now managing a thin squad in that position, with Sigomoshe the clear deputy.

The injury is a significant setback as Pirates are in strong form, having won their last three matches across all competitions. They currently sit second in the Premier Soccer League <a href="/standings">standings</a>, just one point behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with 22 points from eight games. Their defensive record is the league's best, having conceded only one goal all season, a key factor in their strong start. They face Kaizer Chiefs, who are fifth, in a key derby next weekend, a key <a href="/fixtures">fixture</a> in the title race. Tshepang Moremi, the club's top scorer with four goals, netted the winner against African Stars.

Sebelebele, traditionally a winger, was signed last year and had been playing admirably at right-back. His next possible return would be in early December, with Sigomoshe set to start against Milford FC in the cup this week. The club's medical staff will be managing his recovery closely, as he is also a notable absence from the growing <a href="/injuries">injury list</a>.