While Orlando Pirates achieved their goal of beating Kaizer Chiefs over the weekend, they will have to go again on Tuesday evening against Golden Arrows in their Betway Premiership clash without two key players.
At the same venue for the Nedbank Cup final, Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, Pirates will be missing the services of Thalente Mbatha and Nkosinathi Sibisi.
Both players have been suspended and will not be available for the midweek clash set for a 7.30pm start.
Midfielder Mbatha received his fourth yellow card against Chiefs and will serve a one-match suspension.
Impact of Sibisi’s Suspension and Pirates’ Young Squad Against Chiefs
Meanwhile, defender Sibisi is still out after receiving a red card against Sekhukhune United on 30 April.
As it turned out, Pirates had fielded an impressively young squad against Chiefs over the weekend.
Relebohile Mofokeng, 20, Mohau Nkota, 20, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, 19, started the match. Later, Simphiwe Selepe, 20, Boitumelo Radiopane, 22, and Siyabonga Ndlozi, 22, all came on as substitutes.
It’s testament to the growing power of Pirates that they were able to field such a young team and come away victorious in the biggest fixture in local football.
“All of us are proud of them,” said Riveiro, of the young players who took the field on Saturday.
“I am giving them the opportunities by putting them on the field because they are showing every week on the training field that they want the opportunity and they are prepared.
“You will never really be fully prepared [and] you need to start to get the experience.”
@Michael_Sherman
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