Soccer writers Njabulo Ngidi and Mazola Molefe run the rule on the teams, benches and coaches of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs respectively ahead of tomorrow’s clash and the numbers suggest an Amakhosi dominance. But stranger things have happened.
Orlando Pirates:
Goalkeeper:
Brighton Mhlongo
Brighton Mhlongo started this season relegated to the stands. Felipe Ovono was the No 1 choice while Jackson Mabokgwane, who worked with Muhsin Ertugral at Mpumalanga Black Aces, deputised for the Equatorial Guinea keeper. But Ovono’s blunders and Mhlongo’s good command of the back four changed that. Now Mhlongo is even in the Bafana Bafana set-up.
6 out of 10
Defence:
Justice Chabalala, Edwin Gyimah, Thabo Matlaba and Thembela Sikhakhane
The defence is the one department where the club struggles. They’re too slow at the back, finding themselves vulnerable to fast opponents. Ertugral promised to ‘bring some fresh legs’ at the back which he has done with Justice Chabalala and Thembela Sikhakhane. But the coach hasn’t been able to balance experience with the fresh legs, leading to holes popping up.
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Midfield:
Mpho Makola, Oupa Manyisa, Abbubaker Mobara, Issa Sarr and Luvuyo Memela
This is also another area where the club doesn’t have the right balance. They have plenty of attack-minded midfielders on the flanks and those at the heart like Mpho Makola and Oupa Manyisa. But they lack a powerful destroyer who can also pass the ball. Abbubaker Mobara can pass but he isn’t menacing. Issa Sarr is the opposite.
7
Striker:
Tendai Ndoro
The Buccaneers’ attack has relied heavily on Tendai Ndoro. The Zimbabwean forward hasn’t disappointed, scoring six goals already in all competitions. The club plays to his strength, waiting for him to make his intelligent runs because he doesn’t sit in the box. But the problem is that if he isn’t scoring, goals are hard to come by.
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Bench:
Jackson Mabokgwane, Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Riyaad Norodien, Thabo Rakhale, Bernard Morrison and Thabiso Kutumela
Pirates have a number of players who can turn the match around from the bench. Thabo Rakhale with his skill and Riyaad Norodien with his pace are a threat. But if they have to close shop, and protect a lead, they have limited options there because they have a squad that’s dominated by attackers.
6
Coach:
Muhsin Ertugral is so competitive he probably shouts at his own shadow for being too slow in following him. His temper either pushes players to excel or breaks them down. Ndoro scored a hat-trick after the Turkish coach told him off in the first league match. But Ertugral also had a bust-up with Edwin Gyimah at the airport just a few months into his tenure.
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Total: 40/50
Itumeleng Khune
No-brainer - Itumeleng Khune will be first choice to face an Orlando Pirates attacking line that’s not really had anybody shaking in their boots. Chiefs are currently on a five-game winning streak, and Khune managed to keep a clean sheet in all those matches. Brilliant Khuzwayo is a capable No 2, but Khune can win the derby for Amakhosi.
9 out of 10
Defence:
Mathoho, Lorenzo Gordinho, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Sibusiso Khumalo
They also have to be applauded for the clean sheets having worked hard to be compact and close down spaces when their opponents are in possession. Even without Mulomowandau Mathoho against Ajax Cape Town and Ramahlwe Mphahlele against Maritzburg United in last week’s cup match, the preferred back four has held firm.
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Midfield
Willard Katsande, George Maluleka, George Lebese, Hendrik Ekstein, William Twala
By far Chiefs’ biggest problem area. Steve Komphela has tested out different combinations - whether forced by injuries or suspensions - and Amakhosi still lack a bit of that creative spark. But this hasn’t really been an issue given the results. Should Pirates overpower them in the middle of the park, the coach will have to address it quickly.
7
Striker:
Michelle Katsvairo
He is the only striker and this makes it difficult to praise the forwards because the goals aren’t necessarily coming from them and almost impossible to criticise because of the workload. However, their job is to score goals and there is no time like the Soweto Derby to announce yourself, ask Lewis Macha, who scored in the Carling Black Label Cup in July.
5
Bench:
Parker, Tshabalala, Masilela, Lucky Baloyi, Khuzwayo, Macha, Keagan Buchanan, Daniel Cardoso, Kgotso Moleko, Edmore Chirambadare
The Chiefs bench isn’t the best in the league, but it certainly isn’t the weakest either. With experienced campaigners such as Bernard Parker, Tsepo Masilela and Siphiwe Tshabalala, coach Steve Komphela has enough quality to call on when the chips are down. But are these guys match-winners?
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Coach:
Komphela is the favourite to win tomorrow afternoon with Chiefs clearly on a high and could possibly still be top of the Premier League table if Golden Arrows, joint leaders, fail to beat Maritzburg United in their own KwaZulu-Natal derby tonight. Pirates are still adjusting to life under Muhsin Ertugral and Chiefs have to pounce now while there are still teething problems. At once, they will be seen as genuine title contenders if they beat their bitter rivals.
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Total: 44/50
The Star