Impressed Riveiro leaves Ndumiso Mabena’s fate in management’s hands

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says he is impressed by striker Ndumiso Mabena, but the decision on his future rests in management’s hands.

Mabena could make a return to the club after weeks of training with the Soweto giants. The media reports proved true as the Buccaneers posted pictures of Mabena at training on Tuesday with the rest of the squad ahead of the MTN8 semi-final first-leg clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday afternoon in Soweto.

Mabena is a free agent after KZN outfit Royal AM terminated his contract before the start of the 2022/23 season.

WILL PIRATES SIGN MABENA?

Mabena rejoining Pirates puts other strikers’ positions at risk considering that the club has five players in the forward position.

These include Kwame Peprah, Zakhele Lepasa, Evidence Makopa, Eva Nga and Kermit Erasmus.

The Soweto giants also have two strikers on loan; Tshegofatso Mabasa at Sekhukhune United and Boitumelo Radiopane at Cape Town Spurs.

When asked about the striker’s situation at the club, the Spaniard revealed that he’s impressed. However, the decision doesn’t rest with him.

“About [Ndumiso] Mabena, he’s right. He’s training with us,” Riveiro told the media.

“He was training with us, if I remember, for the last six or seven training sessions [perhaps].

“Let’s see what happens in the future and what the management decides about Mabena’s future in the team.”

In the 2022/23 DStv Premiership season, Pirates have been struggling for goals. In eight DStv Premiership matches, they have only scored six goals.

Therefore, Mabena’s arrival could help address the goal-scoring problems at the club. However, Mabena didn’t have a great campaign with Royal AM last season.

He played 21 league matches and managed only to score two goals and registered two assists.