Vilakazi Identifies The One Player Who Cost Bucs The Trophy

Benedict Vilakazi is giving Orlando Pirates some real talk after their MTN8 final loss to Mamelodi Sundowns. The former midfielder and iDiski TV analyst is saying Thalente Mbatha actually played well, but he’s spotted exactly what the Buccaneers were missing in the middle of the park that cost them the trophy.

Pirates went up against Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday and came up short, leaving their fans gutted after losing to their biggest rivals in a match that mattered. The Sea Robbers couldn’t get it done when it counted most.

But Vilakazi isn’t writing off the whole performance. He’s praising Mbatha for stepping up and doing his job, and he’s pointing out that having him in that midfield was crucial for keeping Pirates balanced. The real problem though, according to Vilakazi, was that Pirates didn’t have someone who could take the ball from the back line and feed it forward to the attackers, especially striker Yanela Mbuthuma.

Speaking on iDiski TV, Vilakazi broke it down like this, “Pirates needed Mbatha in that midfield and he did very well. The only thing that we missed today was to have somebody to link from the defensive position to the attacking with Mbuthuma.” That’s the gap that hurt them.

What Vilakazi is really saying is that Pirates faced a tactical problem during the final. Moving the ball smoothly from defence into attack could have changed everything. Mbatha did his part in helping the team compete against a Sundowns side that controls possession and runs the show, but it wasn’t enough without that crucial connection.

The issue is bigger than just having a strong midfielder. You need someone who can receive passes from defenders, move the ball forward through the middle and deliver it to the attackers in dangerous positions. Without that link, forwards get stuck out there isolated and the team can’t build real pressure or create clear chances to score.

For Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, this kind of analysis is gold. It shows exactly what needs fixing if the team wants to beat Sundowns next time and keep pushing for trophies throughout the season.

The loss will sting for Pirates fans, but Vilakazi’s breakdown gives a clearer picture of what went wrong beyond just the final score. The MTN8 final proved that at the top level of South African football, small details make the difference between winning and losing. Mbatha earned his props for how he played, but Pirates need to figure out how to connect their defence and attack better if they’re going to get over the line against Sundowns in the future.

What do you think Pirates need to do differently to finally get past Sundowns when it matters most?

Source https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2109299504256004549

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