The Orlando Pirates may have to face their greatest rivals without their most consistent “Amakhosi killer.” Evidence Makgopa, who has famously netted in three consecutive Soweto Derbies, is facing a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s showdown at FNB Stadium.
Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has revealed that while the 25-year-old striker is recovery-bound, his lack of match fitness is a major hurdle.
The Fitness Factor: Why Makgopa Might Watch from the Sidelines
Despite his lethal record against Kaizer Chiefs, Makgopa has been sidelined recently due to injury. He was notably absent from the match-day squad against AmaZulu, with the technical team opting to blood younger talent instead.
“Evidence still needs more time, possibly a full 90 minutes, to regain match fitness. We manage the squad carefully, and our strikers need to remain competitive.” — Abdeslam Ouaddou
The Rise of Radiopane
With Makgopa’s status uncertain, the spotlight has shifted to Boitumelo Radiopane. The young forward has been making waves in training and earned minutes against AmaZulu to reintegrate into the high-intensity setup. Ouaddou’s “technical decision” to play Radiopane suggests the Buccaneers are preparing for life without their lanky target man this weekend.
A Late Cameo?
While a starting spot seems unlikely, fans haven’t lost all hope. There is speculation that if the game is balanced or if the Buccaneers need a late aerial threat, Makgopa could be introduced for a high-impact cameo to keep his scoring streak against Chiefs alive.
