Patrick Maswanganyi boost for Orlando Pirates ahead of MTN8 final

Maswanganyi was forced to miss Bafana Bafana's recent World Cup qualifiers with Lesotho and Nigeria after picking up an injury while in action for his club.

He has, however, since returned to full fitness and is back in training with his teammates.

Ouaddou, who has only just returned to the team himself after being involved in a road accident last week, said in the Citizen: "Yes, Patrick is ready for the final. The fact that you saw him on the pitch, it means that the medical department gave him the green light to be there.

"I'm happy that he's coming back. It seems like the injury is not so serious. Whenever my players are injured, I'm very sad. So, I'm happy that he's with us."

The Buccaneers will play Stellies at the Mbombela Stadium in what will be a repeat of last season's final, where Pirates emerged the winners.

Also available for Ouaddou is Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thabiso Sesane and Makhehleni Makhaula, who had all also been sidelined with injuries for the early part of the new Premier Soccer League campaign.