Orlando Pirates remain on course for a record-extending fifth straight MTN8 title after beating Sekhukhune United 1-0 in a semi-final, first-leg clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
Deon Hotto’s 44th-minute strike handed the Buccaneers victory as they now look to secure their lead when they host Babina Noko at Orlando Amstel Arena next Saturday.
FARPost runs through some of the key talking points from Saturday’s contest in Polokwane.
1. ANOTHER DIFFICULT OUTING FOR MBUTHUMA
Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou continues to trust striker Yanela Mbuthuma with a starting berth. But the former Richards Bay FC forward has been struggling, with no goal or assist in five starts.
Last week, Ouaddou leapt to Mbuthuma’s defence, saying he remains important in his group, but Pirates fans have lost patience with the 24-year-old. After inspiring no confidence that he could score against Sekhukhune, he was withdrawn in the 65th minute for debutant Sebastian Pedersen.
2. MOJELA HAS LOST HIS TOUCH
Lehlohonolo Mojela appears not to be himself since joining Sekhukhune in January. He has struggled for form this season, without a goal and with just one assist in five games.
While he was up against Lebone Seema and Nkosinathi Sibisi, he struggled to shake them and test goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
3. PROMISING MIDFIELD TRIO MASILELA, MOKOBODI & MTHIYANE
For the first time, Ouaddou started an unfamiliar midfield set-up of Simphiwe Masilela, Thapelo Mokobodi and Mthetheleli Mthiyane. The trio had a decent outing, although there could be room for improvement.
With Thalente Mbatha expected to be out for a long period, while Patrick Maswanganyi and Masindi Nemtajela were not in the matchday squad, the Buccaneers coach still had more options. One might have expected Makhehlene Makhaula and Cemran Dansin to start, but the Moroccan tactician was brave to test a new arrangement in the middle of the park.
4. PEDERSEN FINALLY MAKES HIS ORLANDO PIRATES DEBUT
Coming on for a struggling Mbuthuma in the 65th minute, the Norwegian was welcomed to the PSL with a rough challenge from Daniel Cardoso. It was a scary incident, but he got up to his feet and came close to scoring on his Buccaneers debut.
But his left-foot effort went wide as technique in his execution appeared to betray him. Then Gamphani Lungu went for goal and narrowly missed the target when Pedersen was in a run to finish off.
Pedersen will be hoping to pick some positives from this much-awaited debut on an afternoon he was expected to be the answer to the misfiring Mbuthuma.
5. LUNGU CONTINUES WITH HIS FINE FORM
While it was Hotto who grabbed the all-important goal on Saturday, Lungu chipped in with a silky assist. The Zambian winger arrived at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium fresh from his goal against Chippa United last week.
Lungu ensured Tshepang Moremi wasn’t missed on Saturday, turning in a stellar display capped by an MTN8 assist to complement his goal in the competition and another in the league. Operating in tandem with Oswin Appollis on the opposite wing, Lungu gave Abdeslam Ouaddou nothing to worry about.
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