Former Orlando Pirates attacker Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi has explained why the selection of Nkosikhona Ndaba ahead of Deon Hotto could deliver the Betway Premiership title for the Buccaneers.
Pirates are set to face Orbit College FC in their final match for the 2025/26 season, gunning for maximum points to clinch the elusive league title.
The Buccaneers will lock horns with Mswenko Boys at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon [15:00 CAT], looking to bounce back from their frustrating goalless draw against Durban City FC at Orlando Amstel Arena last weekend.
After dropping points against the KZN-based side, Pirates find themselves desperate for a victory to overtake Mamelodi Sundowns at the summit of the log and win the league for the first time in 14 years.
The Brazilians are currently occupying the top spot on the standings with 68 points in 30 matches, while Pirates are on 66 points with one game left before the end of the campaign.
With the Sea Robbers desperate for a positive result against Orbit to finally shatter Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance—having won the league title eight times in a row—the club’s record goalscorer, Tso Vilakazi, has identified Ndaba as Pirates’ secret weapon. The retired attacker has revealed that the young wing-back has better pass accuracy in the final third than the veteran left-back Deon Hotto.
TSO VILAKAZI SAYS NKOSIKHONA NDABA’S PASSING ACCURACY IN THE FINAL THIRD COULD BE KEY FOR PIRATES
The Namibian international, Hotto, has been the preferred choice at left-back after featuring in 35 matches across all competitions with one goal and seven assists to his name this season.
“I think in defence I would put Ndaba and not Hotto because Hotto is doing very well, but his final touch in the final third is always letting him down,” Vilakazi told FARPost in an interview.
“So Ndaba has got a very good delivery when it comes to the final third. So that’s the change I’ll make in the back four. The other three guys [Kamogelo Sebelebele, Nkosinathi Sibisi, and Lebone Seema] must keep their positions.
The talented defender, Ndaba, is in his first season at Pirates after joining the club in July 2025 from Richards Bay FC, where he made a name for himself.
In his maiden season at Pirates, Ndaba has featured in 20 appearances across all competitions and registered three assists.
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