Orlando Pirates have a new swagger as a goal-scoring team. Coach Jose Riveiro has been the inspirational leader and cool master.
ORLANDO PIRATES SCORE 11 GOALS IN TWO MATCHES
Following a 7-1 win over Golden Arrows in the DStv Premiership, the Buccaneers needed to show consistency against AmaZulu in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal. The result was a spirited 4-2 win for Orlando Pirates.
“Proper football game, no? I think it was a good show from the beginning. We started the game very well, with a number of chances to get a comfortable advantage, we couldn’t [score the goals]. They capitalised on one mistake in our organisation, in a lateral cross,” said Riverio, as quoted by the Citizen.
“We came back just before half-time with a 1-1 and I think was not maybe at the level of the first half from our side, but we still dominated and created chances. I’m happy for the boys, they fought a lot.
“We played football when it was time to play football, we fought when it was time to fight. The cup games are like this, you have to play three, four different games inside 90 minutes and I think we were better in all of them,” added the Orlando Pirates coach.
“Today [Saturday night] I’m not surprised but impressed with the way the team competed. We played good football but we also played with the heart. They played for the fans and the atmosphere today was incredible,” Riveiro concluded.
ZAKHELE LEPASA TO DEPART?
Orlando Pirates management and certain high-profile players have some big contract decisions to make. Zakhele Lepasa is on the list. This might surprise a few supporters. The Soweto-born striker could leave the Sea Robbers when his contract expires in June 2024.
Five years ago, Lepasa rejoined Orlando Pirates after impressing on loan at TS Galaxy. The 27-year-old from Soweto had emerged from the club’s youth before loan spells at Stellenbosch FC and the Rockets. Since playing for the Bucs’ first team, Lepasa has delivered 15 goals and two assists in 64 matches—not forgetting the two goals he scored on loan at SuperSport United.
According to available records, Orlando Pirates came close to offering Lepasa a deal last year when he was flying high, but the form did not last long enough. With the attacker’s deal ending in June, the club could allow Lepasa to leave as a free agent.
Staying with the Buccaneers, Relebohile Mofokeng recently described how he lives outside the game.
Mofokeng might only have three goals and four assists in 28 appearances, but the 19-year-old’s ability to beat defenders is a joy to witness. He is so exciting even Kaizer Chiefs fans admit his quality. Speaking to iDiskiTimes’ leading reporter Velile Mnyandu last week, Mofokeng was asked about how he manages to avoid social pressure.
The Orlando Pirates star from Sharpville, Gauteng said he is simply a homeboy who fears the streets. “I grew up in the streets where people used to kill each other,” Mofokeng said, “which made me afraid to play in the streets. And now that I’m a bit famous I think I’m scared of people,” the attacker known as “Rele” concluded.
Meanwhile, Mofokeng and his teammates will have a day off before preparing for the weekend’s DStv Premiership action. Orlando Pirates will face another battle with AmaZulu, this time in the league. The game is set for Saturday, 20 April, at 17:30 from the Orlando Stadium.