High-flying Orlando Pirates tackle rock-bottom AmaZulu on Friday night looking to preserve their perfect start to the Betway Premiership season.
Predicted Orlando Pirates XI vs AmaZulu
Games are already rolling around frequently which means we could see some rotation by coach Jose Riveiro. Pirates dispatched SuperSport on Tuesday so some fresh legs could come into the side. Pirates are flying high with four wins from four while AmaZulu are rooted to the foot of the table with three defeats from three. Here’s how the Sea Robbers could line up with potential for a few attack-minded changes:
Chaine; Van Rooyen, Sesane, Sibisi, Maela; Dlamini, Mbatha; Nkota, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng; Mabasa.
Kickoff at Orlando Stadium is at 19:30 on Friday 25 October.
Bucs starting XI which beat SuperSport
Chaine; Van Rooyen, Sesane, Sibisi, Hotto; Makhaula, Mbatha; Nkota, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng; Makgopa.
Subs used: Dlamini, Mabasa, Maela, Rasebotja.
Nkota to keep his place?
Teenage winger Mohau Nkota produced an impressive substitute cameo in Pirates’ 3-2 defeat to Magesi in the Carling Knockout. That earned him a start and full Betway premiership debut in the Buccaneers’ 2-0 win over SuperSport. He played 65 minutes in the workmanlike success and manager Riveiro likes what he sees. Pirates now have four wins from four and sit at the summit of the league table as they embark on a quest to wrestle the title from Sundowns.
“It’s just the beginning for him,” he told SuperSport TV via iDiski Times.
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Mabasa or Makgopa? A nice dilemma for Coach Riveiro to have
Although Tshegofatso Mabasa was the undisputed starting striker for Pirates last term, after all, he scored 16 league goals and bagged the Golden Boot, Makgopa is now the man entrusted with the role. He started the MTN8 final earlier in October and Mabasa came off the bench to score. Makgopa also scored in the Nedbank Cup final in June. At some stage, Jose Riveiro will need to do some serious man-management and juggling with this situation.
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