Orlando Pirates forward Evidence Makgopa has raved about the club’s new signing Nkosikhona Ndaba, revealing that the player is a ‘gem’ while also admitting he wasn’t familiar with the talented left-back’s game.
Ndaba joined the Buccaneers in the off-season from Betway Premiership side Richards Bay FC, making a big move to Gauteng after impressing at the KZN outfit.
The 23-year-old signed with Pirates alongside his teammate at Richards Bay, Yanela Mbuthuma, who scored six goals and contributed two assists in 27 matches across all competitions.
Pirates have been one of the busiest teams in the current transfer window after welcoming new players such as Sihle Nduli, Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Sipho Mbule, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Abdoulaye Mariko, Masindi Nemtajela, and Lebone Seema.
WHAT MAKGOPA SAID ABOUT NKOSIKHONA NDABA
Meanwhile, Ndaba has struggled to break into the Pirates starting line-up as Deon Hotto has been the preferred choice at left-back. The KZN-born defender has featured twice for the Soweto giants as a second-half substitute in a league match against newbies Orbit College FC and the MTN8 final.
Despite his limited game time, Ndaba has been making the matchday squad, which signals that he could be close to getting his chance to showcase his talent.
The left-footed youngster has received praise from his teammate Evidence Makgopa. “For me, I was never familiar with Ndaba’s play; I didn’t even watch most of his games, so here we have a gem,” Makgopa told the media at Rand Stadium.
On the other hand, the Bafana Bafana international has had a slow start to the campaign as he’s yet to open his scoring account. Makgopa is competing with Tshegofatso Mabasa, Boitumelo Radiopane, and Mbuthuma for a place in the line-up under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Interestingly, before Saturday’s MTN8 final, no Orlando Pirates striker had scored yet in the new season. This changed in the final, as Mabasa was the only forward to find the back of the net, helping Pirates to a 3-1 extra-time victory over Stellenbosch FC.
With matches now coming thick and fast, the club’s other strikers will be eager to find their scoring boots.
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