Jose Riveiro will have more options available for his Orlando Pirates selection and here is how the Buccaneers could line up with new signings Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Kermit Erasmus.
The Buccaneers have started the season well, sitting just five points behind Mamelodi Sundowns in second place after collecting 14 points from eight games and have one in hand on the leaders.
Pirates are looking revived under Riveiro and the club have now backed their new coach in the market even more. On Deadline Day, the Sea Robbers were the most active and stole the headlines by adding Ndlondlo, Erasmus and Sipho Chaine.
However, while the latter was signed as back up for the goalkeeping department, Ndlondlo and Erasmus will compete for a spot in the Riveiro’s starting XI in the coach’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.
While at the back, Pirates’ are pretty much settled, with Riveiro rotating between the four of Innocent Maela, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Olisa Ndah and Thapelo Xoki, picking three out of the four, Paseka Mako and Deon Hotto compete for the left wing-back spot, while Thabiso Monyane and Bandile Shandu rotate on the right.
In midfield, Miguel Timm and Goodman Mosele seem to have formed a decent No.6 and No.8 pair, while Riveiro is now spoilt for choice upfront.
With Thembinkosi Lorch being somewhat injury-prone, Ndlondlo will likely come in to replace the Bafana Bafana winger, while the new signing could also play in an attacking midfield role, which would perhaps allow the coach to pick two strikers.
The one spot is currently almost certain to go to in-form Zakhele Lepasa, who has started the last four games and earned a Bafana Bafana recall. Vincent Pule has featured on the right, but his spot could now also be up for grabs for Erasmus after his long-awaited return.
However, with Erasmus being sidelined by Mamelodi Sundowns for large parts over the last season and a half, he might initially start with a bit-part role before getting his match sharpness back.
Bienvenu Eva Nga, who has somewhat struggled since his move, and Kwame Peprah are further options upfront, even though the latter has seemingly fallen down the pecking order under Riveiro, while Evidence Makgopa should also join the training after the international break.
Pirates potential starting XI: Ofori; Ndah, Sibisi, Maela; Monyane, Timm, Mosele, Hotto; Ndlondlo, Erasmus, Lepasa.
Whichever selection, Riveiro will choose, he has now a lot more options and quality to challenge for silverware this season. Next up, is an MTN8 semi-final first leg against the defending champions, where Pirates can prove their title credentials in a direct clash with Sundowns.
Do you think Ndlondlo and Erasmus walk into the Pirates starting XI? Let us know in the comments section below!
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