Young talent steps up as Pirates’ reshuffled squad shines

MAHLATSE MPHAHLELE at Orlando Amstel Arena

You can clock it because Orlando Pirates have registered a four-peat against Sekhukhune United this season.

The defending champions booked a place in the semifinal stage of the Carling Knockout Cup with this 1-0 win yesterday, their fourth victory over United in all competitions so far.

Pirates beat Sekhukhune in their two MTN8 semifinals, in the first round of the Betway Premiership, and have now eliminated them from this competition.

It could be worse for Babina Noko in the coming months, as they’re still to face the Buccaneers in the second round of the league, and there is a possibility of the two meeting in the Nedbank Cup.

Pirates have now recorded six successive wins in all competitions, and coach Abdeslam Ouaddou would be hoping they keep this momentum after the Fifa international break.

Though they progress to the next stage, Ouaddou will not be happy that they squandered numerous scoring opportunities, especially in the second half, when they controlled the match.

Pirates return to action on November 28 when they visit Tanzanian side Simba SC in Zanzibar for the opening match of the Caf Champions League group stage, where they will be looking for a good start.

Interesting Caf match

It is going to be an interesting match because Simba SC boasts familiar faces in coach Steve Barker and players Neo Maema and Rushine de Reuck.

For Sekhukhune and their coach Papi Zothwane, they must use the forthcoming international break to work on some of their weaknesses. Their next match is on November 29; and by then, Zothwane would probably have worked on some of the issues that have left them sitting in the middle of the table.

Ouaddou tinkered with his starting line-up by leaving regulars Nkosinathi Sibisi and Thalente Mbatha out of the match-day squad and surprisingly put Oswin Appollis, who has seen little action this season, on the bench.

Appollis entered the field after 65 minutes to replace Mpho Padime, and Pirates increased the tempo of the match even though they could not add to the scoreboard.

Sipho Chaine, Lebone Seema, Deon Hotto, Thapelo Mokobodi, Simphiwe Selepe, Tshepang Moremi, Simphiwe Masilela and Yanela Mbuthuma were the only regular players who started the match.

Faith rewarded

In the absence of some of the regulars, Sbangani Zulu, Gamphani Lungu and Padime benefited, and they repaid faith shown in them with reasonable performances.

Zothwane showed intentions for the match by starting with two strikers, Chibuike Ohizu and Bethuel Muzeu, to put pressure on Seema and Zulu at Pirates central defence, but the ploy didn’t work.

After the opening 30-minute spell with not many clear scoring chances, Pirates took the lead through exciting attacker Padime, who capitalised on a defensive mistake by a Sekhukhune defender in the box.

For the opening goal, Pirates midfielder Mokobodi cleverly took a quick and short free-kick to Moremi, who delivered a cross to Padime to find the back of the net.

In the closing stages, Ouaddou introduced more younger players in Sifiso Luthuli, Matome Mmolai and Neo Rapoo, as they continue with their mission to defend their trophy.