Tapelo Xoki and Thabiso Sesane are rivals for a spot in the Orlando Pirates starting XI. That hasn’t stopped the love from flowing before the MTN8 final.
Xoki loves Sesane’s work for Orlando Pirates
Via SoccerLaduma:
“It’s always great for the group, it means that the collective is working together, it’s working well. For them, it’s been a great start to the season, and I couldn’t be happier for Thabiso. He’s been good so far, and he has even got a national team call-up, which is great for him. Hopefully, now it’s onwards and upwards. He’s had good performances which is the testament of the call-up, so we just have to support him and keep encouraging him and make sure that the other ones are also looking up to him,” said Xoki, speaking to journalists.
“We still have the likes of (Mohau) Nkota coming through, and he (Sesane) came through last season. It’s good for the club to have your development players coming to the team and making sure that they also put their foot forward and contribute towards the success of the team,” Xoki added.
Future captain material?
Thabiso Sesane and Olisa Ndah have started both Betway Premiership matches this season. Tapelo Xoki is still nursing an injury, but Nkosinathi Sibisi is forced to watch from the sidelines and Sandile Mthethwa isn’t even making matchday squads. That’s a serious level of riches in that position. 24-year-old Sesane is quietly becoming a pillar in the side and is approaching his best years as a central defender. He only made eight league appearances last term but 2024-2025 might be the campaign where he becomes a key operator for Jose Riveiro.
Club captain Innocent Maela will get a few games at left-back and he did start in central defence in thre 0-1 win at Richards Bay. However, at 32 he’s approaching the twilight of his club career, so Pirates will need to start considering skipper candidates. Sesane must be right up there, along with the supremely gifted Bafana Bafana midfield star Thalente Mbatha.
Likely Bucs starting XI vs Stellies in the MTN8 final
Olisa Ndah and Monnapule Saleng are both major injury doubts. It’s a toss-up between Gilberto and Kabelo Dlamini to start on the right-hand side of the attacking midfield trio. Gilberto started against Richards Bay but Dlamini made a match-winning cameo off the bench. Coach Jose Riveiro must also make a difficult decision between whether to start Tshegofatso Mabasa or Evidence Makgopa. Mabasa is usually the first-choice but Makgopa was picked to start the recent Nedbank Cup final. Big-game player Saleng will start if he’s deemed fit enough, and Maela’s experience could see him stay in the side too. Plenty of big choices for Mr Riveiro.
Are Stellies going to upset the odds and beat Pirates to win the MTN8 crown?
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