Johannesburg – Orlando Pirates will rotate their goalkeepers throughout the season, according to Buccaneers' No 2 shot-stopper Senzo Meyiwa.
Meyiwa told reporters on Thursday, ahead of his side's MTN8 second leg semi-final against SuperSport United, that coach Augusto Palacios had instituted a new policy of not allowing a keeper to sit on the bench for more than three games in a row.
He is the club's second keeper, behind Moeneeb Josephs, who retired from international football in May.
“We had a meeting as goalkeepers that each and every keeper musn't sit on the bench for more than three games so we alternate,” Meyiwa said.
“That's the agreement for the season. We sit on the bench for three games, then we change – who's going to play, who wants to play.”
Meyiwa started in the team's Premiership game against SuperSport United on Wednesday, which ended in a goalless draw.
“I'm playing against Moeneeb Josephs who was not in the starting line-up yesterday (Wednesday),” Meyiwa said.
“So the coach gave me an opportunity to play and I did my best.”
He hinted that age may have played a factor in the new rotation policy.
“It's better for me to get game time and you can see Moeneeb Josephs getting older now, so I must be happy. There are other keepers at the moment (in the squad) but at the moment it's me and Moeneeb.”
With Pirates struggling to score goals, they will have to find the net if they are to avoid penalties to progress to the final of the R8 million cup competition.
“We have to win, and it means we have to score goals,” Meyiwa added.
“Both teams (Pirates and SuperSport) are trying to score goals and it shows both teams have good goalkeepers. That's why they've kept a clean sheet for two games.
“I don't think it will go to penalties. Pirates must win the game.” – Sapa