Smiso Msomi
The Orlando Pirates technical team have an anxious wait ahead of them this week with two of the club’s stars at risk of missing the MTN8 final.
The Buccaneers are targeting a third MTN8 title in a row as they take on in-form side Stellenbosch at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
The Sea Robbers visited Durban for a league encounter against Richards Bay on Sunday.
FT|| @RichardsBayFC_ 0 v 1 @orlandopirates
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) September 29, 2024
🎙️Kabelo Dlamini
🏆 #BetwayPrem
🆚 @RichardsBayFC_
🗓️ 29 September 2024
🏟️ King Zwelithini Stadium
⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/1A2vOa4Hxw
Despite their dramatic win off the boot of Kabelo Dlamini, it was the absence of two men that grabbed the attention on the day.
The in-form duo of Olisah Ndah and Monnapule Saleng were deemed not fit enough to make the trip to Durban and are also at risk of missing the blockbuster at the weekend. The two players were pulled off against Polokwane City in league action for different injuries, which they haven’t been able to shake off as yet.
Speaking to the media at the King Zwelithini Stadium, club head coach Jose Riveiro confirmed that the pair’s absence was due to injury and that they may not make it back in time for the final as well.
“Both Olisah and Saleng were subbed against Polokwane because of two different injuries, that’s the reason they are not here they couldn’t make it here,” he said. “They are not available for selection and we’re not 100% sure they will be available for the final as well.”
The countdown is on! ⏱
— MTN8 Wafa Wafa! (@MTN8) September 27, 2024
Just one week until the highly anticipated #MTN8 Final, where The Bucs and Stellies will clash in an epic showdown! 🏆
📌Moses Mabhida Stadium
🗓️Saturday, 5th October
📺SS PSL | SABC1
⏱️6 PM#WafaWafa pic.twitter.com/wBBiVMkHrt
He insisted that he wasn’t wrapping them up in cotton wool by leaving them out of the match against Richards Bay.
“We’re not saving anybody because we’re taking every game like a cup final. We give the same respect to Richards Bay as the one we will give Stellenbosch so that’s how we do it, there’s no such thing as saving players.”
The Sea Robbers will head into their match in a buoyant mood after an 82nd-minute Dlamini free kick saw them maintain their 100% winning record in the league with three games played.
Pirates have shown a flair for the dramatic by scoring late winning goals under Riveiro, many of those a result of inspired substitutions by the coach.
The most memorable one is the story of last season’s Nedbank Cup when 19-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng nutmegged Bongani Zungu before toe-poking the winning goal in the 92nd minute.
Riveiro spoke glowingly of his side’s mentality in the two or so years he’s been in the country and detailed how their repertoire of memorable moments contributes to developing a winning mentality.
“All of these things have a positivity in order to create the right confidence for us not only for the final but we have a long season ahead as well,” he said.
“We are gonna find ourselves in scenarios like today many times where we are fighting for a goal and it’s not coming, so it’s good to internalise those scenarios and it becomes something they carry so I don’t have to say it but players know.”