Zinnbauer: It’s always a problem if players are injured

Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa


Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer admits he will have to make do without Tshegofatso Mabasa and Zakhele Lepasa for a few more weeks at least.

Both attackers were injured towards the end of last season, leaving Zinnbauer short of options upfront.
The head coach has been looking at bringing younger players through, while Bucs have so far signed Goodman Mosele, Monnapule Saleng, Kwanda Mngonyama and Bandile Shandu, although Saleng has since joined Swallows on loan.
Zinnbauer said in the Sowetan: “It’s not so easy the situation we have with Mabasa and Lepasa‚ good strikers‚ but not available at the moment.
“It’s always a problem if players are injured. But if you make a new signing then what do you do when those players come back?
“It’s always a discussion we have. We have ‘Gabba’ [Gabadinho Mhango] and we have to focus on him to perform.
“I hope in the next days Mabasa will be back‚ but that’s not to say he’ll be ready for a game. He was a long time out. He did not just have one injury last season‚ and he needs time for a comeback.
“You saw [Boitumelo] Radiopane came in and he did not so bad as an 18-year-old player. This is the focus we have. We have young players coming through in a big squad where you also have more experienced players.”