On Monday, Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro revealed the fear the
team felt when defender Nkosinathi Sibisi had to be substituted in the
MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns due to a concussion injury.
With only one defender, Paseka Mako, on the bench, and Mako having only
trained on Friday, the team was concerned that if another defender got
injured they would be exposed.
Riveiro recalled that Sibisi had also been substituted in the MTN8 final
last season against AmaZulu due to injury, and that he had broken his nose
in the Nedbank Cup final against Sekhukhune United last season.
Fortunately, defender Olisa Ndah, who had been out with a long-term
injury, was on the bench and was able to come on for Sibisi. Riveiro said
that Ndah was ready and gave the team a fantastic 30 minutes.
Mako, despite not being fully fit, was able to come on and give the team
a further 30 minutes, but Riveiro admitted that the team were afraid that
they would be exposed if another defender got injured.
