Orlando Pirates News Today: Ouaddou on Mariko selection, Mbokazi gets MLS recognition & more

Latest news about Orlando Pirates, including coach Abdeslam Ouaddou explaining the reason behind Abdoulaye Mariko’s inclusion and Mbekezeli Mbokazi getting named in MLS Team of the Week.

Hope for Orlando Pirates as Orbit duo are locked out

Orbit College will play Orlando Pirates without Yanga Madiba and Thuso Moleleki who are on loan at the club from the Buccaneers.

However, Pirates loanees Ndumiso Ngiba, Gomolemo Khoto and Siyabulela Mabele are eligible to face their parent club.

Orbit College need a win to boost their chances of survival while a draw can at least nick them a playoff spot but Pirates must secure maximum points to win the PSL title.

Ouaddou explains surprise Mariko inclusion

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the inclusion of Abdoulaye Mariko in their match against Durban City was down to the improvements he has made behind the scenes.

Mariko has barely played since joining the club ahead of this season but got a few minutes late in the goalless draw against City.

“I think at the beginning of the season we gave a chance to Mariko against Marumo Gallants, it was just his beginning with Pirates,” said Ouaddou as per KickOff.

“But he had several months to integrate to the pace of the PSL, to the aggressiveness, to the environment, very important. I think we were a little bit quicker to put him in that game. But he did really well today.”

Ex-Bucs star Mbokazi in MLS Team of the Week

Former Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s good performance has seen him selected in the MLS Team of the Match Week 14,

Mbokazi, alongside Chicago Fire teammate goalkeeper Chris Brady, were named in the Team of the Week following the team’s sixth shutout of the season in Saturday’s 2-0 win against CF Montreal at Stade Saputo.

Mbokazi was instrumental as Chicago Fire kept their sixth clean sheet of the season against CF Montreal. It’s the second Team of the Matchday mention for the South Africa international after being selected to the bench following a goal-line save on Matchday 7.