Orlando Pirates Face Major Selection Dilemma as Evidence Makgopa Emerges as Key Figure Ahead of Soweto Derby

Orlando Pirates face an important selection decision ahead of their highly anticipated Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on 31 October 2026. The Buccaneers must decide whether to bring Evidence Makgopa into the starting line-up or continue with the attacking options who have performed well during his absence. Makgopa has built an impressive record against Amakhosi, making him a strong candidate for a fixture where experience and composure can prove decisive. However, Boitumelo Radiopane and Yanela Mbuthuma have also made convincing contributions, giving head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou several options to consider. With the derby approaching, the decision could have a significant influence on how Orlando Pirates approach one of the biggest matches in South African football.

Makgopa’s record against Kaizer Chiefs has become an important part of the selection discussion, particularly following the revelations in the Giants documentary, which documented Orlando Pirates’ successful 2025/26 title-winning campaign. The five-part SuperSport series showed how the club had taken a calculated approach to the striker’s availability ahead of a crucial derby during the previous season. Makgopa had been dealing with an injury, but Pirates worked to prepare him for the encounter because of the impact he could make in such an important fixture. The decision reflected the coaching staff’s belief in his ability to influence matches against their fiercest rivals. His subsequent contribution demonstrated why the club has placed considerable value on his derby experience.

On 28 February 2026, Orlando Pirates defeated Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 at FNB Stadium in a league encounter that delivered a memorable result for the Buccaneers. The victory represented Pirates’ biggest league win over their Soweto rivals since the 2001/02 season, according to the details provided about the match. Makgopa started the game on the bench before entering the action in the 68th minute. Ten minutes later, he headed home a cross from Tshepang Moremi to score Pirates’ third goal and put the result beyond doubt. That contribution underlined his value as an attacking option who can make an immediate impact even when he does not start.

The result also carried considerable importance in the context of the 2025/26 title race. Pirates moved three points clear at the top of the league table following the victory, strengthening their position during a crucial stage of the campaign. The Buccaneers eventually ended their 13-year wait for another league title, making the derby triumph an important moment in their successful season. Makgopa’s goal formed part of a collective performance that helped the club maintain its momentum. For the striker, scoring against Kaizer Chiefs once again strengthened his reputation as a player capable of delivering in high-pressure matches.

Makgopa’s reported record against Amakhosi makes the current selection debate particularly interesting. He has scored four goals in five appearances against Kaizer Chiefs, averaging a goal every 64 minutes in those encounters. His goals have come across three consecutive derby appearances, including matches played on 11 November 2023, 3 May 2025 and 28 February 2026. Those numbers suggest that he has been especially effective when facing Orlando Pirates’ biggest domestic rivals. While past performances cannot guarantee another goal, his record gives Ouaddou a strong reason to consider how best to use him in the upcoming encounter.

The striker’s return from injury has added another dimension to the debate. Makgopa missed the opening weeks of the 2026/27 campaign after suffering from patellar tendinitis, which had sidelined him since early August. He returned to action on 13 October and provided an assist during Pirates’ 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy. That contribution offered an encouraging indication that he could once again play a role in the team’s attacking plans. With approximately two weeks between his return and the Soweto Derby, the coaching staff has an opportunity to assess his fitness and match readiness before making a final decision.

However, Makgopa is returning to a team in which other strikers have taken advantage of their opportunities. Boitumelo Radiopane has delivered encouraging performances in the league, scoring three goals in five appearances this season. His reported goals-per-90-minutes ratio of 1.13 is the highest in the Pirates squad, highlighting his efficiency in front of goal. Radiopane also made an impact against TS Galaxy, opening the scoring despite having missed the matchday squad for three consecutive games in September. His recent form gives Ouaddou a compelling reason to consider retaining him in the starting line-up.

Radiopane’s performances have made the competition for places more intense, particularly because Pirates need attacking players who can turn opportunities into goals. A striker who is scoring regularly can provide confidence and momentum to the team’s forward line, especially before a high-profile fixture. Radiopane has demonstrated that he can contribute when given the opportunity, and his recent statistics strengthen his case for selection. Nevertheless, the Soweto Derby presents a different challenge from an ordinary league match, with greater attention, pressure and expectations surrounding the players involved. Ouaddou must therefore consider both current form and the qualities each striker can bring to the specific tactical demands of facing Kaizer Chiefs.

Yanela Mbuthuma has also strengthened his position in the competition for a starting role. The former Richards Bay striker has scored two goals in six league appearances and contributed important assists during Orlando Pirates’ MTN8 campaign. His performance in the semi-final victory over Sekhukhune United was particularly notable, as he provided two assists to help the Buccaneers progress. He then scored a brace in the following league match against Kruger United, further demonstrating his ability to influence games. These contributions have given Pirates another reliable attacking option and complicated the decision facing their head coach.

Mbuthuma and Radiopane offer Ouaddou the flexibility to adjust his attacking approach according to the opposition and the state of the match. Their recent contributions have helped Pirates maintain competition for places while allowing the coaching staff to rotate its forwards. Makgopa, meanwhile, brings a different set of strengths, including his aerial ability and his proven scoring record against Kaizer Chiefs. His performance as a substitute in the February derby also showed that he can influence a match without necessarily starting it. The challenge is not simply to identify the most effective striker, but to determine which combination offers Pirates the best balance for this particular fixture.

One possible approach would be to retain the in-form Radiopane or Mbuthuma in the starting line-up while keeping Makgopa available as an attacking option from the bench. That would allow Pirates to benefit from their recent performances while preserving the opportunity to introduce a striker with a strong derby record later in the match. Another option would be to start Makgopa if the coaching staff believes he has recovered sufficiently and can handle the physical demands of the encounter. His aerial threat could prove useful against a Kaizer Chiefs defence that will need to manage crosses and set-piece situations carefully. The final decision will depend on fitness assessments, training performances and the tactical plan Ouaddou wants to implement.

The timing of Makgopa’s return is therefore central to the selection discussion. Although his assist against TS Galaxy was encouraging, one appearance does not automatically establish that he is ready to play the full 90 minutes in a demanding derby. The coaching staff must consider his physical condition alongside his ability to press defenders, hold up the ball and contribute consistently throughout the match. Rushing him into the starting line-up without sufficient consideration of his recovery could carry risks, while leaving him out entirely would remove a player with a strong record against Amakhosi. Finding the right balance between managing his fitness and using his experience will be one of Ouaddou’s most important decisions before the game.

The Soweto Derby is often shaped by fine margins, making team selection an important part of the preparation. Orlando Pirates will want to maintain their attacking momentum while ensuring that their chosen forwards can cope with the intensity of the occasion. Kaizer Chiefs will also be preparing carefully for a match that carries significant importance for both clubs and their supporters. Makgopa’s history against Amakhosi gives him a clear advantage in terms of proven derby performances, but Radiopane and Mbuthuma have presented strong arguments through their recent contributions. Ouaddou must weigh those factors against the tactical requirements of the game rather than relying on reputation or statistics alone.

Ultimately, Orlando Pirates’ selection dilemma ahead of the 31 October Soweto Derby centres on whether to prioritise Makgopa’s proven record against Kaizer Chiefs or continue with the strikers who have impressed during his absence. His four goals in five appearances against Amakhosi make him a compelling option, while his recent return from injury requires careful assessment. Radiopane’s three league goals and Mbuthuma’s goals and assists have ensured that neither player can be overlooked. Ouaddou has the opportunity to use their different qualities strategically, whether by selecting one of them alongside Makgopa or keeping the experienced derby scorer as an option from the bench. The most effective decision will be the one that balances fitness, current form and tactical needs, giving Orlando Pirates the strongest possible chance of securing another important result against their Soweto rivals.

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