WeeklySA_AdminDStv PREMIERSHIP: PIRATES REDEPLOY THEIR TROOPS TO INVADE THE USUTHU DRONE BASE
By Ali Mphaki
The message from coach Jose Riveiro to his charges is clear – search and destroy Amazulu at their Moses Mabhida fortress!
Bouyed by his team winning the MTN8 trophy two weeks ago, Riveiro is confident his players have amassed enough self-confidence armoury to obliterate any enemy standing on their way to glory. An added plus is that the Spanish coach also welcomed back five of his players who were on national duty for their various countries adding to a more jovial mood in the camp. When last both teams met in early May this year, Pirates were ruthless annihilating Usuthu 4-nil after leading 3-nil at half-time.
Pirates had 28 rockets fired, 11 on target, in a game they had 56 percent of the possession. This is the kind of attitude Riveiro expects from his players when they invade the Amazulu stronghold whose ensemble has been fortified by former Pirates midfielder Ben Motshwari who recently signed for the club after parting ways with the Soweto giants after a give-year spell.
More recently is the fact that Pirates may have won the MTN8 (on the lottery of penalties) against Mamelodi Sundowns, but were not impressive on the day.
Co-conspirators triker Zacharia Lepasa, winger Monnapule Saleng, and Daniel Hotto could have done better by not leaving the team’s bus. Since crowned the 2021/22 joint season player of the year, at best Saleng seem to have lost his touch, at worst, he’s grown big-headed. There are instances where he should pass a well-positioned teammate but Saleng would instead do the opposite, more often than not his efforts amounting to wasteful and fruitless expenditure. If matches are lost or won in the middlefield, then Riveiro has to be smart in his selection of players and use of his arsenal. The four goals against Amazulu came from Thabiso Monyane (5’), Saleng (36’), Relebohile Ratomo (40’), and Kabelo Dlamini (81’).
You underestimate your opponent at your peril because since the international FIFA break Usuthu have been quietly going about their business at training.
They have also been mixing it up with some of their cross town rivals, including Royal AM last week in another fiercely contested friendly match as the Pablo Franco coached side looks to improve their league form.
Franco’s team is brimming with combat aircraft and artillery to offer a reasonable counteroffenseive; the likes of Taurus cruise missile Henrick Ekstein, the F-19 jet Eiten Brooks, and A T-34 tank Abubeker Mobara – a sufficient quantity of superior and precise weapons to turn the tide.
AmaZulu come into this DStv encounter after they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Moroka Swallows in a DStv Premiership match which they played with 10-men at the Dobsonville Stadium. The loss ended their three-game unbeaten run.
Fans can look forward to an evening of football intrigue and possibilities, with the roar of submachine guns, assault rifles, rocket launchers, and flame throwers being fired from either side.Pirates should emerge victorious.
* Two second-half goals handed Orlando Pirates a 2-0 win in their Carling Knockout Round of 16 clash against Cape Town Spurs at Orlando Stadium on Friday night
