Orlando Pirates promote exciting teenager

DStv Diski Challenge coach Joseph Makhanya claims Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has promoted 19-year-old centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

A new man in the Pirates defence?

The Sea Robbers currently have three central defenders out injured. Namely, Olisa Ndah, Tapelo Xoki and Sandile Mthethwa. This has prompted the technical team to promote teenager Mbekezeli Mbokazi out of necessity.

“This platform – DStv Diski Challenge is created for these boys,” Makhanya told the SuperSport website, as per iDiski Times.

“If you look at where Mbekezeli Mbokazi comes from, it was his first season last season but the strides he has made have been nothing short of amazing.

“Soon there’s an announcement that would be made, where we will no longer see Mbokazi in the DDC.

“You must think back where he is coming from, all the way from Hluhluwe. It was even difficult to talk to him about tactics, so you needed to make sure that you speak to him in his own language, and he became comfortable and once he became comfortable, he became a leader,” the former Orlando Pirates winger added.

Orlando Pirates betway premiership — Orlando Pirates fans are expectant on Soweto Derby Day. Image: BackpagePix

MVPs

As things stand, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Patrick Maswanganyi are the two most valuable stars at Pirates. The pair are each valued at €1.4 million, or approximately R27 million. Golden Boot holder Tshegofatso Mabasa follows closely at €1.3 million or approximately R25 million. Meanwhile, the trio of Tapelo Xoki, Deano van Rooyen and Monnapule Saleng are all valued at €1.2 million or R23 million. Big money signing Gilberto, who arrived for R11 million, is now valued at a lowly R3.8 million but there’s hope this number will grow as he grows accustomed to South African football.

Next five fixtures

Meanwhile, Riveiro’s men have a trio of league encounters to prepare for in the next five weeks and they’ve also got two tasty Caf Champions League clashes on the horizon. The visit of African champions Al Ahly on 06 December is one to get in the diary. There’s also the prospect of a meeting with Bafana and former Cape Town City striker Khanyisa Mayo when Pirates go North to face Belouizdad of Algeria.

Pirates vs Richards Bay: Tue, 05 November, 19:30
Belouizdad vs Pirates: Tue, 26 November, kickoff time TBC
Pirates vs Stellenbosch: Sat, 30 November, 15:30
Gallants vs Pirates: Tue, 03 December, 19:30
Pirates vs Al Ahly: Fri, 06 December, kickoff time TBC