Orlando Pirates have provided an update on their injury list ahead of their Nedbank Cup last 16 clash against Venda Football Academy at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Up to five members of the club’s playing personnel are currently sidelined due to a challenging schedule of matches.

Thabang Monare, an experienced midfielder, has been one of the notable absentees from the match day squad over the past month, with his last appearance coming in early February against Mamelodi Sundowns. This is due to a thigh muscle strain that was reported prior to the recent home league match against Maritzburg United, which also forced him to miss the Soweto Derby matches against Kaizer Chiefs and Swallows, respectively.

The injured player has made some recovery progress and is expected to return to training next week.

Bandile Shandu and Goodman Mosele are expected to return to full training in the coming weeks, joining Monare on the injured list.

The 23-year-old midfielder is expected to begin light training by the end of this week after suffering an ankle ligament injury, while Shandu is expected to return before the end of the month after receiving treatment for a tight hamstring.

Other recent additions to the Bucs injury list include captain Innocent Maela, who suffered a left-foot contusion against the Chiefs and has since returned to training.

Similarly, his defensive partner Olisa Ndah has returned to training after suffering an injury during his brief appearance at FNB Stadium.

The good news is that goalkeeper Richard Ofori, who has been sidelined since November of last year, has been cleared by the medical staff and is back in full training.

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