Boost for Pirates ahead of Caf catfight

Bucs midfield talisman Oupa Manyisa has been declared fit for their Confederation Cup clash against AC Leopards this weekend.

Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler must be a relieved man.

The Sea Robbers coach should be smiling from ear to ear as news of a fit Oupa Manyisa must have got him less worried ahead of their Caf Confederation Cup tie this weekend.

Pirates travel to the Republic of Congo this weekend, where they are going to face AC Leopards in the continental tournament.

There were doubts over Manyisa ahead of this match at Denis Sassou Nguesso Stadium on Saturday after he sustained an injury playing for Bafana Bafana against the Gambia a week ago.

“With regards to the guys who were on national duty, we know Oupa Manyisa got a bit of a knock but we received a report that he has fully recovered,” Pirates assistant coach Teboho Moloi told the club website.

“With regards to the rest of the players we are awaiting a full report from our medical team although we are not expecting any bad news in that regard.”

Moloi said the Buccaneers are at full strength except for two players.

“We have a relatively injury-free squad, with the exception of Khethokwakhe Masuku who has a thigh strain and Lucky Lekgwathi who is still recovering from his injuries,” he said.

Apart from the injured duo, Tinkler’s men will do without influential defender Rooi Mahamutsa and talismanic striker in Thamsanqa Gabuza.

Both players are suspended and they will not be on the plane when the Buccaneers leave the country tomorrow morning.

They are expected to land at Pointe-Noire in the afternoon.

A three-hour bus trip awaits them which will take them to the city of Dolisie, their base for the game against Leopards.

The Sea Robbers are familiar with Dolisie as they played there two years ago in a 1- 0 loss to a Dimitri Bissiki strike.

Leopards have become a force on the continent and Pirates know that they should not take The Beasts from Niari for granted and after this game they take on Tunisian’s CS Sfaxien and the Egyptian giants Zamalek.