Ex-defender warns Pirates & makes exciting Nedbank Cup prediction
Ex-Orlando Pirates defender Innocent Chikoya predicts that the Nedbank Cup final will end like England’s FA Cup but has warned the Buccaneers to be watchful of one area.
Manchester United were the eventual winners of England’s FA Cup after edging their rivals Manchester City FC 2-1 in the final most recently. In the Nedbank Cup final, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are set to face off on Saturday.
The match is set to played at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga at 15h00. And ex-Orlando Pirates defender Innocent Chikoya believes his former club will beat Mamelodi Sundowns to win the coveted cup.
The retired footballer reckons the Soweto giants have the pedigree of beating the serial DStv Premiership winners, like how Manchester stunned the EPL winners.
WHERE ORLANDO PIRATES MUST BE WATCHFUL
But he has warned them to be watchful of their defence line, which he believes has been their Achilles Heel.
For Chikoya, Pirates have been let down by their defenders’ lack of consistency. Moreso, they have also been affected by injuries.
“For me, Thabiso Monyane has been outstanding. Innocent Maela was injured for some time. Paseka Mako was also exceptional in the games that he played,” Chikoya told FARPost.
“But if you ask me, Pirates’ defence has been the difference for them not being able to really challenge for the [league] title.
“The defenders have not been consistent. They performed not at the level that I expected. In my opinion, the Nedbank Cup final will end like England’s FA Cup.
“The league winners [Manchester City] did not win it. I think that will happen in this case. But Pirates must be watchful of how they defend because it can be the difference just like the past season. They are equally strong in other departments just like Mamelodi Sundowns, who will obviously be aiming for revenge for the MTN8 final defeat.”
How the Nedbank Cup will end remains to be seen, but this is one match that could easily keep supporters at the edge of their seats.
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