Orlando Pirates: Riveiro’s FIVE favourites

Orlando Pirates manager Jose Riveiro has stuck to the same defensive combinations this campaign and that’s made then one of the most stubborn teams in the league.

However, that stubbornness has come at a cost. They’ve only scored NINE goals all season, from 13 DStv Premiership fixtures. They’ll certainly need to become a more free-flowing side if they want to shoot up the table.

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Five Orlando Pirates players with the most minutes this season

• 1407 – Nkosinathi Sibisi
• 1243 – Innocent Maela
• 1198 – Olisa Ndah
• 1165 – Miguel Timm
• 1143 – Deon Hotto

What’s clear from this data via transfermarkt is that Pirates have benefited from consistency in selections and partnerships at the back. Nkosinathi Sibisi and Olisa Ndah are undoubtedly the two first-choice central defenders, whereas club captain Innocent Maela will again be entrusted with the left-back role.

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The ever-dependable Deon Hotto, nominally a wide-man on the left, often fills in wherever he is needed, most notably at left wing-back when Riveiro deployed a 3-5-2 earlier this campaign.

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Perhaps what the Spanish tactician needs to do now is find some more reliable and consistent partnerships and combinations in the final third of the pitch. Maybe then the goals will start to come.

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Meanwhile, you can get more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game from James Freemantle

Also keep up on daily football trivia via football stats nerd foodball_za.