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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates have confirmed that midfielder Vincent Pule will miss their CAF Champions League clash against AC Horoya in Conakry this weekend.
Pirates departed for Guinea in midweek, but according to the club's website did so without star attacking midfielder Pule who picked up a knock during training.
It's a second blow for the 27-year-old this week after Stuart Baxter left him out of the Bafana Bafana squad for the crucial Africa Cup of Nations Cup qualifier.
Pule's absence from the winner-takes-all encounter against Horoya means Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic will likely have to turn to Kudakwashe Mahach.
The Zimbabwean attacker took it upon himself to apologise for his last-minute miss against FC Platinum last week, a match which Pule missed through suspension, which would seal a come-from-behind win and eased the Buccaneers' task in Guinea.
Meanwhile, Sredojevic will also be sweating over the availability of Justin Shonga for Saturday's match. The Zambia striker is carrying an unspecified minor injury but was cleared to travel by the club's medical department.
Shonga scored twice during Pirates' home clash against Horoya in January, a 3-0 win, and is due for a late fitness test to determine whether he can lead the line as he has done for the majority of the Buccaneers' CAF Champions League campaign.
Kick-off is at 15:00 (SA time).
