With Patrick Maswanganyi having missed the last two games for Orlando Pirates, the club's fans could be in for yet more agony regarding the skilled midfielder.
Maswanganyi was not in the matchday squad for the side's first home CAF Champions League group stage match against Egyptian giants Al Ahly, with head coach Jose Riveiro hinting on a 'health issue' when asked about the curious development post-match.
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The tie ended 0-0, with the Buccaneers struggling to create clear-cut chances against a team that defended in solidarity and willfully ate away at the clock with injury stoppages.
He again did not travel with the team as they battled with Stade d'Abidjan of Ivory Coast, where last season's domestic runners-up squandered chance after chance before and after Evidence Makgopa's goal from the penalty spot.
The home side scored the equaliser in the second half to see the spoils shared at 1-1.
Having received a fourth yellow card of the season in a 1-0 Betway Premiership defeat to Stellenbosch FC, the man nicknamed 'Tito' should already have served his one-match suspension, but the side's fixtures against Golden Arrows and Sekhukhune United have since been postponed owing to their hectic schedule.
Pirates are next in action on Christmas Eve, where they host Marumo Gallants at Orlando Stadium, and Maswanganyi will play no part as he finally serves his suspension.
They will then have one more match left in 2024, against Magesi FC at Peter Mokaba Stadium on December 29, before preparing for the return leg at home against Stade d'Abidjan on January 3.
Should the issues that have seen the Tembisa-born fan-favourite miss out on recent games persist and remain by the time the Magesi fixture arrives, then the Ghost would have seen the last of the dribbling wizard this year against Stellies.
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Pirates have stood accused of lacking enough creativity whenever Maswanganyi is absent, and the results and at times lack of ideas in the final third, during the two most recent Champions League encounters, lend credence to that notion.
In his absence, young Relebohile Mofokeng has been thrust into the playmaker role, where he has continued to dazzle, notably winning a penalty against Stade d'Abidjan.