The long-awaited return of Olisa Ndah is now down to within a stone's throw after the Nigerian defender put in a firm shift on Wednesday.
Ndah has been out of action since September due to injury.
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During that time, Pirates have had Nkosinathi Sibisi and Thabiso Sesane in central defence, with the latter's recent injury then paving way for the return of Tapelo Xoki, while Innocent Maela remained as a cover option.
What will thrill the Ghost is that Ndah put in a clean performance during a high-tempo practice match played on Wednesday in Johannesburg against a visiting opponent.
There was nothing to suggest the towering defender is still feeling any niggles of his injury in that polished display.
After having started field training and conditioning in January, it all appears Ndah will now become available for selection effective the weekend's Nedbank Cup match against SuperSport United.
Past the fixture against Chippa United on Wednesday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Bucs will still have 13 league games to play, plus the Nedbank Cup and CAF Champions League.
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If they reach the finals of the Nedbank and Champions League, then there could be another 22 games to play for Ndah after tonight.
Pirates have conceded in the last five matches, losing the tight grip which they had earlier in the season when they proved difficult to break down.