Orlando Pirates will be without midfielder Sihle Nduli for approximately four months after the club confirmed he suffered a serious ankle injury in the 1-1 draw with AmaZulu.
The 30-year-old has been ruled out for the remainder of 2026, meaning he will not play competitive football again until next year. The injury was assessed by the Pirates medical team after Nduli was hurt by AmaZulu player Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya during the midweek match.
It was Nduli’s first appearance since returning from an earlier injury, making the setback particularly disappointing for the midfielder and the club.
Pirates confirmed the extent of the problem in a statement, describing it as a Grade 3 ligament tear.
“Nduli is expected to be sidelined for approximately four months after suffering a Grade 3 ligament tear, effectively ruling him out of action for the remainder of the year,” reads part of the statement.
The absence is likely to create an early selection dilemma for Pirates manager Abdeslam Ouaddou. With Nduli unavailable for the rest of the calendar year, the club will need to manage its midfield options without a player who had been expected to provide stability in the centre of the team.
Pirates can, however, call on midfield anchor Makhehleni Makhaula following Nduli’s latest injury. His availability provides the club with an experienced alternative as Ouaddou considers how to reshape the midfield.
Nduli’s injury came after a challenge involving Ngwenya during a match that ended level. Ngwenya has since apologised for the incident, stressing that injuring the Pirates midfielder was not his intention.
The challenge was strongly criticised by Ngwenya’s AmaZulu manager Arthur Zwane immediately after the final whistle. Zwane described it as a tackle that could have ended a career, underlining the seriousness of the incident.
Nduli’s latest lay-off means his return to competitive action will now come only in 2027. Pirates will therefore have to continue the season without him while he recovers from the ankle ligament damage.
The club’s announcement brings clarity to the expected length of his absence, with the four-month recovery period effectively ruling him out for the rest of the year.
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