Orlando Pirates key trio escape suspensions
Are Pirates already out of the title race?
Orlando Pirates will be relieved that three key stars will be available for selection against Sundowns next time out.
Pirates stars escape suspension
Key trio Thalente Mbatha, Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng are all one booking away from an automatic local suspension. Fortunately for Pirates boss Jose Riveiro, all three kept their names out of the referee’s notebook on Tuesday in the Sea Robbers’ 0-0 stalemate at Stellenbosch. Mofokeng started, Maswanganyi was a substitute and Mbatha wasn’t named in the matchday party. Pirates face Sundowns on Sunday, 16 March at 15:30.
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Saleng the big game player
At his best, Monnapule Saleng has been a clutch player for Pirates when they needed him most. Saleng produced a dazzling output of 15 goals and 11 assists from 30 appearances across all competitions in 2022-2023 to be crowned PSL Player of the Year. 2023-2024 didn’t reach those heights but class, as they say, is permanent. He was easily the best player in South Africa, by a mile. In 2022, he bagged a match-winning brace in a 3-0 win against Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final and then scored the only goal in the final to vanquish AmaZulu. There’s no doubt that Saleng loves the grand occasions.
Will the club live to regret how they’ve dealt with Saleng?
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