Sea Robbers are known for their ability to take what’s theirs on the high seas. The Orlando Pirates class of 2024 certainly have form and momentum in their favour.
Ridiculous depth
Against Cape Town City, the Sea Robbers were without Patrick Maswanganyi so they recalled Lesedi Kapinga in the number 10 role. Tshegofatso Mabasa continued his rich vein of goal-scoring form with another brace, taking him to 13 league strikes this term. Riveiro had the luxury of bringing Nkosinathi Sibisi, Katlego Otladisa, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, Evidence Makgopa and Karim Kimvudi off the bench in the Mother City. Maswanganyi returned for their 3-1 win against Chippa in the Nedbank Cup semi-final. Innocent Maela, an unused sub in the league game against City, made a cameo against Chippa. Last season’s man of the moment Monnapule Saleng didn’t feature against City but got a substitute appearance against the Chilli Boys.
Goals from all sources
Pirates have leaned heavily on the goal-scoring form of Tshegofatso Mabasa and, to a lesser extent, Patrick Maswanganyi this term. Both weren’t on the score sheet against Chippa, but that wasn’t a problem for Pirates. Kabelo Dlamini, another man having a stellar season, scored a brace and central defender Tapelo Xoki also grabbed himself a goal.
Orlando Pirates are difficult to beat in the cups
The Buccaneers have become cup specialists under Jose Riveiro. They’ve won consecutive MTN8 crowns and are just a single match away from making it a double-double by scooping Nedbank Cup glory in 2024. They’ll face the winners of Sundowns vs Stellies, the other semi-final, kicking off on Sunday 5 May at 15:00. Downs left former Pirates man Thembinkosi Lorch on the bench for that assignment. Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who has 12 goals to his name in the league, starts alongside Tashreeq Matthews and Themba Zwane in attack. Matthews bagged a brace against Chiefs when Sundowns secured their seventh consecutive title in midweek.
CAN ORLANDO PIRATES DEFEND THEIR MTN8 crown?
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