Orlando Pirates will be looking to bounce back and prove their worth in the remaining matches of the season, with seven stars, including Kermit Erasmus, eager to make an impact. Erasmus, who joined the Buccaneers from Mamelodi Sundowns last September, had hoped for regular game-time, but has been in and out of coach Jose Riveiro’s starting line-ups lately. The 32-year-old was an unused substitute against Kaizer Chiefs last weekend, and came on as a substitute in the previous match against Maritzburg United. He has made 13 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing three assists.
Several other players from Ezimnyama will be hoping to get a run and in the coming matches to prove their worth in the team. Ndumiso Mabena, who joined Pirates in the January transfer window, has made only one appearance so far when he came on as a second half substitute against Sundowns last month. Craig Martin, another January signing for Bucs, has made five appearances so far, all as a substitute, and has been out of the matchday squad in the last two matches against the Team of Choice and Amakhosi.
Richard Ofori has been derailed by injury on his progress at Bucs, and while he has since recovered and back in training, the 29-year-old has found Sipho Chaine having taken over between the sticks and doing well. He has featured in 13 matches in all competitions and is nearing the end of his contract.
Evidence Makgopa, signed as a Bafana Bafana striker from Baroka FC, has had a slow start under Riveiro and has made just two substitute appearances all season. Goodman Mosele, the former PSL Young Player of the Year, has made 11 appearances in Pirates’ DStv Premiership campaign, but hasn’t featured in Bucs’ last three matches due to injury. Bienvenu Eva Nga, the 30-year-old Cameroonian, has featured only once for five minutes in the last 11 matches for Bucs and has scored one goal from 12 appearances in all competitions.
With the original Soweto Derby set to take place this evening, the seven players will be eager to prove their worth and make an impact for Orlando Pirates.
