Former Orlando Pirates defender Innocent Chikoya insists the potential absence of Monnapule Saleng and Olisa Ndah will not stop the Soweto Giants from successfully defending their MTN8 crown.
The Buccaneers will play Stellenbosch on Saturday hoping to be the first team in the competition's history to win it three times in a row.
However, the defending champions might be without the in-form winger Saleng and dependable center-back Ndah for the crucial fixture.
Saleng and Ndah absence is a blow but Pirates are a big team
“I don't know whether the boys are injured or not, but I think the coach would not sit them out just because there is a final coming. Maybe the boys are seriously injured,” Chikoya, told SNL24.
“It would be a loss to the club if the two players are unable to play the final on Saturday, but Pirates is a big club, so there will always be someone to step in. I saw on the weekend against Richards Bay, that the team didn't gel, but we played well in terms of ball possession. We were 90% in Richards Bay's half all the time.
“There was not much difference, but you could see that there was someone who was not there. We were missing the pace of Saleng and Ndah's command at the back.
“You could see there's something that is not there, but the boys did play well. They managed to get three points against a team they hadn't beaten,” he continued.
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However, Chikoya insists the Soweto giants will have to be cautious since Stellenbosch have improved.
“Stellenbosch is one of the most improved teams. I have been following the way they've been playing in terms of getting results. To them, the most important thing is the results,” he added.
“Pirates's quick passing, counter-attacking football, they've been nice to watch, but now they are playing a team that is playing the same type of football.
“But I'm putting my money on Pirates as I believe they are going to win the cup final on Saturday, with or without Ndah and Saleng.”
