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Durban - Orlando Pirates striker Lennox Bacela will miss this weekend's Nedbank Cup final against Bidvest Wits due to an ankle injury.
The Buccaneers and the Clever Boys will battle for a R7m grand prize at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday afternoon.
Pirates' Public Relations Officer, Mickey Modisane, confirmed to Sport24 in an exclusive interview that the 31-year-old forward suffered an ankle fracture ahead of the much anticipated clash.
"Well, Lennox Bacela is out of the Saturday's game," said Modisane.
"This was confirmed by the club's physios after he went to the doctor for a check-up.
"We thought it was nothing serious until he went for a late fitness test.
"He failed the late fitness test."
Modisane also revealed that the Ghosts are not under pressure to win after already failing to win three cup finals earlier in the season.
Pirates will be boosted by the return of defender Happy Jele and speedy winger, Tlou Segolela, after the duo passed their late fitness tests.
"The spirit is high at the camp.
"All players are ready to fight and we are not under any sort of pressure to win.
"Happy (Jele) and Tlou (Segolela) will be back on Saturday after they passed their fitness tests."
Pirates defeated Maritzburg United 2-1 two weeks ago to book a place in the final thanks to Mpho Makola and an own goal by Mario Booysen.
G
avin Hunt's men eliminated holders, Kaizer Chiefs, beating them 3-1 on penalties after playing to a 2-all draw.
Sthembiso Ngcobo and captain Sibusiso Vilakazi were on target for the Students as Katlego Mphela and George Maluleka grabbed the goals for Amakhosi.
Wits last won the competition back in 2010 after humbling AmaZulu 3-0 under the reign of Roger De Sa.
Pirates won the competition a year later under Ruud Krol, defeating Black Leopards 3-1 to complete the first ever treble in the Premier Soccer League history.
The last time both sides met in a cup final was in the Telkom Knockout in December 2011 when Pirates walked away with a 3-1 win under Julio Leal, winning the competition for the first time in their history.
Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Isaac Chansa and Daine Klate scored for Pirates that night, while Sifiso Myeni scored for Wits.
Kick-off for Saturday's clash is scheduled for 15:00.
The Buccaneers and the Clever Boys will battle for a R7m grand prize at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday afternoon.
Pirates' Public Relations Officer, Mickey Modisane, confirmed to Sport24 in an exclusive interview that the 31-year-old forward suffered an ankle fracture ahead of the much anticipated clash.
"Well, Lennox Bacela is out of the Saturday's game," said Modisane.
"This was confirmed by the club's physios after he went to the doctor for a check-up.
"We thought it was nothing serious until he went for a late fitness test.
"He failed the late fitness test."
Modisane also revealed that the Ghosts are not under pressure to win after already failing to win three cup finals earlier in the season.
Pirates will be boosted by the return of defender Happy Jele and speedy winger, Tlou Segolela, after the duo passed their late fitness tests.
"The spirit is high at the camp.
"All players are ready to fight and we are not under any sort of pressure to win.
"Happy (Jele) and Tlou (Segolela) will be back on Saturday after they passed their fitness tests."
Pirates defeated Maritzburg United 2-1 two weeks ago to book a place in the final thanks to Mpho Makola and an own goal by Mario Booysen.
G
avin Hunt's men eliminated holders, Kaizer Chiefs, beating them 3-1 on penalties after playing to a 2-all draw.
Sthembiso Ngcobo and captain Sibusiso Vilakazi were on target for the Students as Katlego Mphela and George Maluleka grabbed the goals for Amakhosi.
Wits last won the competition back in 2010 after humbling AmaZulu 3-0 under the reign of Roger De Sa.
Pirates won the competition a year later under Ruud Krol, defeating Black Leopards 3-1 to complete the first ever treble in the Premier Soccer League history.
The last time both sides met in a cup final was in the Telkom Knockout in December 2011 when Pirates walked away with a 3-1 win under Julio Leal, winning the competition for the first time in their history.
Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Isaac Chansa and Daine Klate scored for Pirates that night, while Sifiso Myeni scored for Wits.
Kick-off for Saturday's clash is scheduled for 15:00.
