Head coach Jose Riveiro has provided the latest on the recovery of striker Zakhele Lepasa, who prematurely left the Bafana Bafana camp due to a knee injury.
Lepasa wore a knee strap as he featured for South Africa against Eswatini on Friday and it was perhaps a sign of what Riveiro has now confirmed the be an niggling injury that has bothered the striker as far back as prior to the MTN8 final.
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As Pirates now turn their attention to the Carling Knockout where they take on Cape Town Spurs on Friday at Orlando Stadium, Lepasa is making progress but remains a doubt.
"What I know is that Zakes (Lepasa) came back from camp on Saturday morning due to the injury," Riveiro told journalists on Wednesday.
"To be honest, he did have some problems before the [MTN8] Final. We were really taking care (had to be careful) of Zekhele in the previous said before the final. He was not one hundred per cent until the final day.
"He finished the game not hundred per cent but he made it to the national team camp. What happened in the national team cam is not in my knowledge.
"I don't think it's a good idea to speculate about the health of the players. If Zakes didn't complete [his time] in the national team you can trust me, that is because he is not at one hundred percent and the doctors and the physios decided that what is best for the player is to come back with us.
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"There is no doubt about whether Zakes was one hundred percent. He was injured, I can tell you. He's getting better but he is not hundred percent sure that he play on Friday.
"I'm talking about Zakes not to avoid the speculation about his honour. But whether he is playing or not that is something we will decide. If he is not, then someone else will take his place.
Friday's match against Spurs will kick off at 19:30.
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