Bad news for Matlaba, but Pirates got points and that’s all that goes on the table

JOHANNESBURG: There was delight for the one Thabo and misery for another as Orlando Pirates cemented their second spot in Group B of the CAF Confederations Cup on Sunday night.

While Thabo Rakhale rejoiced in scoring the goal that saw the Buccaneers win at CS Sfaxien, his namesake Thabo Matlaba left the pitch on a stretcher with an injury that could rule him out for a while.

Rakhale netted the match’s only goal after the recess with a sublime chip to beat the Sfaxien goalkeeper to set himself up as the one to watch come Saturday’s Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs.

But Matlaba is likely to watch the fifth edition of the Carling Black Label Cup from the stands after suffering what appeared to be a pulled hamstring.

The Pirates medical team said that the fullback was treated with an inflammatory and will be fully assessed upon their return from Tunisia today. “Thabo suffered what appears to be a hamstring strain. He was immediately treated with the RICE Principle as well as an anti-inflammatory. He will go to a specialist during the course of the week to assess the full extent of his injury.”

Given his history with such injuries, it is very likely the club will not rush him back into action.

Rakhale, on the other hand, has no such worries – his cheeky chip on Sunday will have earned him further adoration from the club’s fans who he has delighted with his silky skills and spectacular goals.

“It all happened very quickly; I had an option to pass the ball across goal but there was a defender. At that moment I saw the keeper off his line and I decided to go for it and I’m glad I was able to pull it off,” he told the club’s website.

“We got the points and that’s all that goes on the table,” said Rakhale.

Pirates’ victory over Sfaxien took them to six points from three matches while Egyptian side Zamalek top the standings with a perfect record after the same number of outings. Sfaxien and AC Leopards each have a single point.