Orlando Pirates have several headline-grabbing players in their squad. However, one guy does the dirty work and goes largely unnoticed.
Hunt rates veteran Makhaula as the best Orlando Pirates player
Speaking on SuperSport TV, Gavin Hunt asserted that Teboho Mokoena is the best player in the land, but his favourite Orlando Pirates player might surprise you. Meanwhile, he’s not convinced Lucas Ribeiro would shine at a smaller club.
“Ribeiro scores goals, but if you put him in Magesi, he will struggle. He would need to work harder there,” Hunt said on SuperSport TV.
“Teboho Mokoena is the best player in South Africa.
“At [Orlando] Pirates, the best player is the boy in the middle. I can’t say his name. It starts with an M. Makha… something. [Makhehleni Makhaula]. He is the best at Pirates. He is the glue.”
Makhaula’s stats paint a picture
35-year-old midfield general Makhaula has made 19 league appearances this term and 38 across all competitions. We don’t need to tell you how important he is to the Pirates cause under Jose Riveiro. Not many players born in the 80s still have this level of stamina in their tanks.
Orlando Pirates’ league title challenge looks to be in tatters after their 0-1 home defeat to Sekhukhune. It leaves them 12 points adrift of leaders Sundowns, albeit with two games in hand. Key defender Nkosinathi Sibisi will miss the clash with Chiefs after his red card against Babina Noko. It’s been a bad week for the Sea Robbers, who also tumbled out of the Caf Champions League at the semi-final stage.
Predicted Orlando Pirates XI vs Kaizer Chiefs
Chaine; Van Rooyen, Xoki, Mbokazi, Hotto; Makhaula, Mbatha; Nkota, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng; Mabasa.
We could see Patrick Maswanganyi return to the XI, allowing manager Riveiro to revert to a back four. Tapelo Xoki should deputise for the suspended Sibisi. Elsewhere, Tshegofatso Mabasa is often the first-choice attacker in domestic league outings.
Orlando Pirates dominate the recent H2H
Will Makhaula be the key man against Chiefs?
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