Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates predicted starting 11 vs AmaZulu

Orlando Pirates boss Jose Riveiro has plenty to ponder as he selects a side to go and do battle in the MTN8 final. Here are our ideas.

by James Freemantle

05-11-2022 08:30

in Premier Soccer League

Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates boss Jose Riveiro has a handful of selection dilemmas to ponder ahead of the MTN8 final this evening.

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Orlando Pirates predicted 11 vs AmaZulu

We expect that Riveiro may be tempted to go with a similar or even an identical side to the one that put Sundowns to the sword in the second leg of the semifinals. That team was set up in a 4-1-4-1 shape with Miguel Timm anchoring the midfield. This will mean that one of Kermit Erasmus or Zakhele Lepasa will likely start on the bench. Having somebody like Lepasa on the bench is a lovely luxury.

PREDICTED XI: Mpontshane; Monyane, Ndah, Sibisi, Maela; Timm; Saleng, Ndlondlo, Makaringe, Hotto; Erasmus

Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus. Photo: iDiski Times

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Selection dilemmas for the boss

Innocent Maela hobbled off in the first half of Pirates’ Soweto Derby defeat with a hamstring injury. He’s a major doubt for tomorrow, but Jose Riveiro might take a gamble on him with no competitive matches on the immediate horizon. Then again, Maela has been called up by Bafana Bafana. It’s a tricky one.

READ: RIVEIRO’S MTN8 FINAL SELECTION DILEMMAS

PSL Transfer rumours — Composite image featuring Jose Riveiro and Innocent Maela of Orlando Pirates. Photos: Backpagepix

Timm returns to conduct the orchestra

Miguel Timm’s suspension in the Soweto Derby hurt Pirates and their balance in midfield, so they’ll be delighted to welcome him back here. If Riveiro persists with a 4-4-2, he’ll need to find a diligent central midfield partner for Timm. Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo will start the match regardless of the system that Riveiro employs, but maybe Goodman Mosele is a candidate to dovetail with Timm in the engine room.

Orlando Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm in training – Photo: Orlando Pirates website

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Tactical MTN8 final battle

It’s going to be fascinating to see how Riveiro will accommodate all of his talented stars in the same 11. Further forward, he’ll only be able to select three of Zakhele Lepasa, Kermit Erasmus, Monnapule Saleng, Vincent Pule and and Deon Hotto in attack, from the start that is. As mentioned, Riveiro is likely to revert to the 4-1-4-1 that served him so well against Sundowns. In that instance, Makaringe was brought infield alongside playmaker Ndlondlo with Timm anchoring midfield behind them.