An Orlando Pirates defender has been ruled out of contention for the eagerly-awaited match against Sundowns – the Soweto giants have confirmed.
The Buccanners have revealed that Bongani Sam picked up a hamstring injury during training earlier in the week and is currently undergoing rehabilitation with the medical team.
"Bongani Sam has been ruled out of contention for the Absa Premiership clash against Mamelodi Sundowns today. The enterprising wing-back suffered a hamstring strain during practice earlier in the week and is currently undergoing rehabilitation with the medical team," Pirates confirmed on the club's official website.
Meanwhile, Pirates' physiotherapist Kutlwano Molefe told the club's website, "Sam has sustained a right hamstring strain to his bicep fermoris and has started with his rehab. We expect to see injuries of this nature in the remaining matches. Players call it feeling a bit rusty, but from a medical point of view it's more a case of reaction times not being at the optimum levels that they are used to. The frequency of matches and the less time for recovery are all elements that we are facing, and this will most likely exacerbate the problem. This is the new normal that all teams will be dealing with until the end of the season. The teams that push the envelope and look for creative ways to preserve the players' legs will be the ones who will benefit most in this period."
