Evidence Makgopa is now the starting striker for Orlando Pirates despite being backup for the majority of 2023-2024. Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs can stick the knife into their former employer.
Makgopa is leading the line for Orlando Pirates
Evidence Makgopa, nicely assisted by Thabiso Sesane, and Deon Hotto were on the score sheet for Pirates as they returned to winning ways with a 2-0 success over SuperSport. This was the perfect tonic for their surprise Carling Knockout defeat to Magesi. The Buccaneers now sit at the summit of a fledgling Betway Premiership table with a perfect record of four wins from four assignments. SuperSport are languishing with four points from their opening five matches.
The man for the big occasion
Although Tshegofatso Mabasa was the undisputed starting striker for Pirates last term, after all, he scored 16 league goals and bagged the Golden Boot, Makgopa is now the man entrusted with the role. He started the MTN8 final earlier in October and Mabasa came off the bench to score. Makgopa also scored in the Nedbank Cup final in June. It’s a nice problem for Jose Riveiro to have, but at some stage, he’ll need to do some serious man-management and juggling.
Pirates superstar Mofokeng is no longer a teenager
The jewel in Pirates’s crown is Relebohile Mofokeng. He’s quickly evolved from a talented prodigy into a full Bafana international and key operator for the club. The wildly gifted star is no longer a teenager and it’s felt like he’s been ready for the elite level for a long time.
His languid, fluid style lends itself well to the frenetic pace of the Betway Premiership and he can slow things down and then accelerate again as he pleases. Mofokeng is an inverted, right-footed winger operating on the left-hand side, adept at going inside or outside his marker, making him the perfect modern winger and a complete nightmare for opposition defenders and managers. Mofokeng also takes up central positions to score crucial goals. He’s been on the score sheet in two separate cup finals for the Buccaneers and he just turned 20 on Wednesday 23 October. From humble beginnings with the Transnet School of Excellence, this Sharpeville-born footballer has the world at his feet.
Next for Matsatsantsa is a clash with in-form Kaizer Chiefs
SuperSport must now dust themselves down after a 4-0 thumping by Chiefs in the Carling Knockout and that 2-0 defeat to Pirates. Next up? A league clash with Chiefs. It’s either a great opportunity to exact revenge for Gavin Hunt’s side or a bad time to face Nasreddine Nabi’s emerging team.
Will Chiefs continue their winning ways against SuperSport?
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