Jose Riveiro has come under fire for Orlando Pirates’ shock defeat to Magesi. A Kaizer Chiefs flop rubbed salt into the wounds.
Saleng sacrificed at half-time in the Sea Robbers’ shock loss
Monnapule Saleng has been a standout player for Pirates this term with five goals and an assist in 11 games across all competitions. Often a man for the big occasion, the mercurial 26-year-old was hooked at half-time for youngster Mohau Nkota in the Buccaneers’ 2-3 defeat to Magesi.
Orlando Pirates boss explains all
Via FarPost:
“Mohau came in at a difficult moment, a moment of responsibility, and he answered in the right way. We decided to go with Mohau in the second half because we know him very well,” said Riveiro.
“He is in a very good space, pushing hard to get minutes and compete in a team like ours.
“I think he generated problems for Magesi immediately after coming in, with one shot on target inside the first three minutes he was on the field. He is a tricky player to defend…Mohau is a player that is growing fast.
“As I said, he is one of the players competing to be on the field, and that’s why we, as the coaches, decided to give him the responsibility in the moment that was not the nicest one to come in. But I think he answered in a good way, the same way he did when he came on against Richards Bay FC in Durban with the game goalless and contributed to the team getting the three points.”
In addition, the Bucs coach also emphasised his wish to give as many players as possible game time to build depth in his squad. He referenced Selaelo Rasebotja and Karim Kimvuidi, two players who rarely start but featured in the Magesi game.
”We need to create that real depth in the squad, not only knowing that the players are there but you don’t see them playing, so I think today was a very important game for Mohau, Rasebotja and Kimvuidi… to come into the team gradually.”
Kaizer Chiefs flop comes back to haunt Pirates
Riveiro’s cup specialists are out of the Carling Knockout after a surprise 2-3 defeat to PSL newcomers Magesi. The Sea Robbers have won three consecutive MTN8 crowns and consecutive Nedbank Cups but the Carling Knockout remains a problem tournament. Kabelo Dlamini scored an 86th-minute consolation and a late Magesi own goal made things interesting in stoppage time but the underdogs held on for a huge win. Patrick Maswanganyi had the ball in the net in the 95th minute but his goal was correctly chalked off for offside. Former Amakhosi star Edmore Chirambadare scored Magesi’s second. The Zimbabwean winger was a Kaizer Chiefs player between 2016 and 2018, making 27 appearances. This will have felt sweet for the 32-year-old.
Pirates starting XI vs Magesi: Chaine; Van Rooyen, Sesane, Sibisi, Hotto; Rasebotja, Dlamini; Mofokeng, Kimvuidi, Saleng; Mabasa.
Subs: Buthelezi, Maela, Monyane, Ndlondlo, Maswanganyi, Nkota, Moleleki, Gilberto, Makgopa.
What are your thoughts on Riveiro’s decision to hook Saleng?
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