Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro on why striker Evidence Makgopa is good for Bafana Bafana. Image source: (VodacomSoccer/Twitter)
FACT: Orlando Pirates have the best bench in South Africa
Options everywhere you look. How can you start to disagree with this statement?
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro on why striker Evidence Makgopa is good for Bafana Bafana. Image source: (VodacomSoccer/Twitter)
Orlando Pirates have displayed some ridiculous depth in recent matches. Is theirs the best squad in South Africa? Perhaps Sundowns fans will have something to say.
Pirated complete the double-double
Under Jose Riveiro, Pirates have won four domestic cup competitions. Their last two successes have come at the expense of South African champions Sundowns. The next frontier for Riveiro and his players is to mount a serious league title challenge and make progress in the CAF Champions League. However, what’s clear is that this group is more than capable of winning cups and performing in big matches.
DEPTH GALORE FOR ORLANDO PIRATES
Jose Riveiro had a virtually clean bill of health ahead of the Nedbank Cup final. Now rewind to a match against Cape Town City, the Sea Robbers were without Patrick Maswanganyi so they recalled Lesedi Kapinga in the number 10 role. Tshegofatso Mabasa continued his rich vein of goal-scoring form with another brace in that game. Riveiro had the luxury of bringing Nkosinathi Sibisi, Katlego Otladisa, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, Evidence Makgopa and Karim Kimvudi off the bench in the Mother City while Innocent Maela and Siphelo Baloni were unused subs, and Monnapule Saleng wasn’t even in the matchday squad.
Xoki missed the final but they coped fine
Tapeolo Xoki has been a rock in the centre of defence for the Buccaneers this term so there were concerns about his absence ahead of the cup final. He made 26 league appearances and scored three times in three Nedbank Cup appearances. In Xoki’s absence, the excellent Olisa Ndah and emerging youngster Thabiso Sesane held down the fort while Nkosinathi Sibisi, another outstanding option, was forced to watch from the bench. Sipho Chaine, one of the most talented goalkeepers with a ball at his feet, came up trumps with a penalty save to deny Lucas Ribeiro early on at Mbombela Stadium. When all was said and done, Thalente Mbatha was named man of the match. Jose Riveiro really got top performances from players in all departments.
Mabasa’s omission shows how good the group is
Tshegofatso Mabasa, fresh off 16 goals in the league and a Golden Boot award, was only among the substitutes. Evidence Makgopa was preferred up front. Makgopa was superb as the first line of defence, leading the counter-press and winning possession in dangerous areas of the pitch. Pirates are blessed to have two talented strikers with such different qualities. Another man who hasn’t been at his best this season, Mponnapule Saleng, came up with the assist for exciting teenager Relebohile Mofokeng’s superb winner. Mofokeng, rightly so, is earning rave reviews around the country.
Do Pirates have the best depth and bench in the DStv Premiership?
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