Predicted Orlando Pirates XI vs Cape Town City: One suspension
How would you line up the side?
Orlando Pirates continue their title charge on Wednesday in the beautiful Mother City. How will Jose Riveiro tinker with his side?
Predicted Orlando Pirates XI vs Cape Town City
Chaine; Van Rooyen, Sesane, Sibisi, Hotto; Dlamini, Mbatha; Nkota, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng; Mabasa.
It would be difficult to drop Tshegofatso Mabasa, the current Golden Boot holder, after his hat-trick in an 8-1 win against Gallants in a recent league clash. We could see a very similar XI to the one which beat Stade d’Abidjan 3-0 in Caf Champions League action. Midfield hard man Makhehlene Makhaula will miss out through suspension which leaves coach Riveiro with a conundrum in the engine room. Thalente Mbatha didn’t feature at all in midweek continental action but could play here. Meanwhile, talented youngster Mohau Nkota is undroppable after a pair of assists against d’Abidjan. Relebohile Mofokeng scored the winner in Pirates’ last league match, a narrow 1-0 win at Magesi, and he was also on the score sheet against Abidjan along with Patrick Maswanganyi and Deon Hotto.
Mofokeng is ‘overrated’ according to Masilela
Ex-Sundowns star Joel Masilela feels the standard of South African footballers isn’t what it used to be.
“This generation consists of about 30 players who all seem the same, there are no truly special players. Not even Mofokeng is a special player—he is still young, still needs to learn, and is still considered a ‘baby’ in football terms. While people have been impressed with Mofokeng previously, the question is: Are they still impressed with him today? He is no longer the same player. The problem is that these players often don’t learn from their experiences. Many of those who are overhyped as the ‘next big thing’ lack education about the sport. Football and education go hand in hand. Just look at Mofokeng now; where is Siyabonga Mabena? These players need to understand that in football, learning is a continuous process,” Masilela said to KickOff.com.
Next five fixtures
- Cape Town City vs Pirates: 08 January, 19:30
- Pirates vs Belouizdad: 12 January, 15:00
- Al Ahly vs Pirates: 18 January, 18:00
- Royal AM vs Pirates: 22 January, 19:30
- Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: 01 February, 15:30
Will Pirates claim the league this term?
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