Orlando Pirates News Today: ‘Unselfish, real gem!’ Second star challenge & more

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Orlando Pirates News Today: ‘Unselfish, real gem!’ Second star challenge & more

The latest Orlando Pirates news in the last 24 hours including Thapelo Mokobodi being lauded for his quality, Bucs challenged to go for the second star, and more.

Pirates latest news, as they break

‘Real gem, not selfish’

Former Orlando Pirates striker Andries Sebola says midfielder Thapelo Mokobodi deserves a pat on the back for his outstanding performance in the Soweto Derby.

The 23-year-old created both goals for Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi as Pirates went on to beat archrivals Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Mokobodi, who joined Pirates in July, was named Man of the Match in his first match in the Soweto Derby. Sebola says the country is still going to hear a lot about him this season and beyond.

“And if you can check, the young Mokobodi, you are still going to hear a lot about him. The boy created both goals. I’m not surprised he played so well. He’s a real gem, the boy who is not even selfish, the boy who can read the game well, who can see the defence and make the defensive split passes to the strikers to finish,” Sebola said as quoted by Soccer Laduma.

Sebola added that Pirates were clearly the dominant side in the second half, praising the team for their fighting spirit.

“It was a typical game of two halves. Chiefs had their chances in the first half, but Pirates dominated the second half. In fact, it could have been 4-1 to Pirates.

Thapelo Mokobodi of Orlando Pirates.
Thapelo Mokobodi of Orlando Pirates. Image: Orlando Pirates

“What Pirates got right was they closed down the spaces in midfield; that’s why Chiefs ended up substituting Lebohang Maboe. He was operating too much in the first half, but nowhere to be seen in the second half.”

Time for second star?

Former Orlando Pirates winger Tlou Segolela believes it is high time the Soweto giants added a second star to their badge by winning the CAF Champions League for the second time in their history.

The Buccaneers have booked their place in the CAF Champions League group stages after cruising past African Stars in the second round of qualifying. Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side have been drawn in Group C, alongside Cameroonian outfit Colombe Sportive, Moroccan giants RS Berkane and Tanzania’s Simba.

Segolela believes Pirates have an opportunity to make history by reclaiming continental glory, particularly with domestic rivals Mamelodi Sundowns having won the competition twice in the last decade.

“Look, they’ve (Pirates) won everything domestically. So adding CAF is out there, it’s a known fact, I don’t think they have to tell anyone, even the players are aware of that, I’m 100 percent sure of that,” Segolela told KickOff.

“It’s something that is out there, because it’s history that needs to rewritten. They have created this opportunity for themselves to write that history. No pressure, they know what is needed. It doesn’t matter who is the opponent, whether other big teams are there, they are also one of the big institutions in Africa and they are capable.

Yanela Mbuthuma of Orlando Pirates celebrates his goal in the Soweto derby.
Yanela Mbuthuma of Orlando Pirates celebrates his goal in the Soweto derby. Image: Orlando Pirates

“They have to do it. Even (Abdeslam) Ouaddou surely he is aware that if he does not get this one, it’s a fail, if you have to put in that way. It’s high time, we need to be in that level. Pirates need among the top clubs competing in the international stage. The talent that is there at Pirates deserves to be among those, show the world what they are capable of and eventually go to other big teams in Europe,” Segolela added.

Pirates last won the CAF Champions League in 1995 and came close to adding a second title in 2013, when they lost to Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the final.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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