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Orlando Pirates could welcome back Tshepang Moremi when they return to Betway Premiership action against Durban City at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Thursday.
The Buccaneers have spent the past two weeks with their attention firmly on the CChampions League, successfully negotiating their preliminary round tie against La Cure Waves to progress to the next stage of the competition.
Now their attention turns back to domestic football, and Moremi’s return could give head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou another important attacking option.
Moremi is available again
Moremi missed Pirates’ CChampions League second leg against La Cure Waves after serving the final match of his suspension.
The club had confirmed before that match that the winger would serve the second and final game of his ban and would be available for selection in the next round if Pirates progressed.
Pirates did exactly that.
After drawing 0 0 away from home in the first leg, the Buccaneers recovered from conceding an early goal at Orlando Amstel Arena to beat La Cure Waves 3 1 and advance to the second preliminary round.
Kabelo Kgositsile, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Yanela Mbuthuma were on target as Pirates secured their progression.
Moremi was therefore watching from the sidelines as his teammates completed the job.
On Thursday, he could be back in the matchday squad when Pirates return to league action.
A player who has already made an impact
Moremi’s availability is significant because he has already shown that he can contribute directly to Pirates’ attack.
The 25 year old has made three Betway Premiership appearances this season and has scored twice, according to his current league statistics.
He scored on his league debut against Milford FC in Pirates’ 2 0 victory before finding the net again in the 1 1 draw against AmaZulu.
His second goal came against his former club, with Moremi reacting quickest to a rebound after Yanela Mbuthuma’s effort was saved.
That early production makes his return more than simply another squad player becoming available.
Pirates have a player who has already demonstrated an ability to influence games in front of goal.
Pirates have been managing a demanding schedule
The timing of Moremi’s return is also important.
Pirates have had to balance their domestic campaign with their continental ambitions.
Their Champions League journey began with a goalless draw against La Cure Waves in Mauritius, before the Buccaneers returned home and secured a 3 1 victory.
The win sent Pirates through to the second preliminary round, where they will face Namibian champions African Stars in October.
The continental campaign also forced Ouaddou to manage his squad carefully.
Several players were unavailable for the La Cure Waves return leg because of injuries, suspension or registration issues. The club confirmed that Andre De Jong, Thalente Mbatha, Evidence Makgopa, Gampani Lungu and Sihle Nduli were recovering from injuries, while Moremi was suspended.
That makes the return of players particularly important as Pirates move back into a busy domestic schedule.
Durban City will provide a different challenge
The next opponent is Durban City.
The two teams are scheduled to meet on Thursday at 19:30, with Pirates currently second on the Betway Premiership standings with 13 points from five matches. Durban City sit eighth with six points from their opening five games.
On paper, Pirates enter the match as favourites.
But returning from continental football can present a different challenge.
The intensity and demands of the Champions League are different from a league fixture, while Ouaddou must also ensure that his squad does not lose domestic momentum.
This is where Moremi’s return becomes particularly interesting.
Where does Moremi fit?
The big question is whether Moremi immediately returns to the starting XI or is eased back into the team.
Pirates have several attacking options, and the performances of players such as Appollis, Mbuthuma and Kgositsile during the Champions League campaign give Ouaddou selection decisions to make.
Moremi, however, has already established himself as an effective option.
His ability to play in attacking areas gives Pirates another player capable of carrying the ball, taking on defenders and arriving in dangerous positions.
His previous league performances also suggest that he does not need many opportunities to make an impact.
That could become valuable against a Durban City side that is likely to spend periods defending without the ball.
Pirates need to keep their league momentum
Despite their Champions League success, the Betway Premiership remains the competition where Pirates will be judged week after week.
The Buccaneers began the campaign strongly, beating Milford FC 2 0 before drawing with AmaZulu. They later produced a convincing 4 0 victory over Kruger United, with Moremi starting that match.
They currently have 13 points from five matches, meaning another victory would strengthen their position near the top of the table.
The challenge now is maintaining that consistency while competing on multiple fronts.
Pirates are defending their domestic status as champions while also pursuing continental success.
That requires depth.
It requires players returning from injury and suspension.
And it requires attacking players like Moremi to contribute when their opportunities arrive.
Moremi’s return could come at the right time
There is still a long season ahead, so it would be premature to suggest that one player’s return will determine Pirates’ campaign.
But Moremi has already given Ouaddou reasons to trust him.
Two goals in three league appearances is a strong start, and his suspension has temporarily interrupted that momentum.
Now he has served his ban, Pirates have completed their immediate Champions League assignment and the domestic campaign is calling again.
The question is whether Moremi can pick up where he left off.
If he does, Pirates could have another important attacking weapon available as they attempt to balance the demands of the Betway Premiership with their CChampions League ambitions.
