Will Orlando Pirates remove the Betway Premiership crown from Mamelodi Sundowns? Kabo Yellow coach Manqoba Mngqithi has something to say.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI ON ORLANDO PIRATES BETEWAY PREMIERSHIP CHALLENGE
With four games played this season, Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are tied at the top with 12 points each. Can Jose Riveiro’s side stop the dynasty?
According to Mngqithi, the Sea Robbers are formidable, but there are still question marks over Orlando Pirates’ squad depth and results against smaller teams.
“I think I said it from the beginning in the launch that for me they are the team that’s going to be really pushing us,” said Mngqithi via FARPost.
“I hope and pray they do have the depth to carry themselves during the group stages and the league because I think that’s where the separation will take place because I do believe they are a very good team.
“They tried to rotate the squad, unfortunately it did not work out very well in the Carling. But honestly speaking I think they are a team that will really pose a lot of problems.
“But I still maintain that they are a team that doesn’t do well against small teams. So far, they have really done well but let’s continue and see because that’s where I think maybe the championship will be decided,” the Sundowns mentor concluded.
JOSE RIVEIRO ON MOHAU NKOTA
Orlando Pirates supporters are thrilled. Mohau Nkota is the latest youngster from the academy to the senior team.
Following an exciting cameo during last weekend’s 3-2 loss to Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout, the 19-year-old Nkota has convinced coach Jose Riveiro of his qualities.
“Mohau came in a difficult moment, in a moment of responsibility and he answered in the right way. If we decide to go with Mohau in the second half, it’s obviously because we know him very well, we know the moment he’s going through, he’s in a really good space,” Riveiro said via SABC about the Kimberley-born star.
“He’s pushing hard to get minutes and compete for getting minutes in a team like ours. I think immediately he came and generated problems for the opponent, one short of target I think inside the first three, four minutes he was on the field.
“He’s a tricky player to defend, where Magesi was reducing the spaces very close in the box, defending very, very low. Mohau is a player that is growing fast, he’s one of the players who are really competing to be on the field and that’s why in this case, the coach decides to give him the responsibility,” concluded the Orlando Pirates mentor.
