Orlando Pirates trio slammed for ‘going missing’ against Casric Stars

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Orlando Pirates trio slammed for ‘going missing’ against Casric Stars
Andre de Jong of Orlando Pirates playing against Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup. Photo - Orlando Pirates

Former Orlando Pirates forward Lebohang Mokoena has criticised the performance of three players who he feels were below-par during their Nedbank Cup defeat to Casric Stars.

Pirates were the third biggest casualty to get eliminated from the competition early when they followed Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns out, following a post-match penalty defeat to lower league side Casric Stars on Saturday.

Charles Tchouplaou of Casric Stars left with Andre de Jong of Orlando Pirates during the Nedbank Cup. Photo Orlando Pirates
Charles Tchouplaou of Casric Stars (left) with Andre de Jong of Orlando Pirates during the Nedbank Cup. Photo – Orlando Pirates

The Buccaneers struggled to break down the defensive wall of Casric Stars and on the few occasions when they went past them, they did not find the breakthrough, taking the game into extra time and eventually penalties, which they lost.

Mokoena hits out at De Jong and Mbuthuma

Mokoena, popularly known as Cheezboy, was not particularly impressed by the displays of new signing Andre de Jong, who started as a false nine, his replacement Yanela Mbuthuma as well as extra time substitute Daniel Msendami.

“Look at the performance of Mbuthuma, a player like De Jong needs to pull up his socks,” Mokoena said on SoccerBeat.

“A game like Casric is when he needs to show up and say that; ‘I have been a professional player for so long, my class must come out. My class is going to show today.’”

Is Msendani a Pirates quality player?

Daniel Msendami of Orlando Pirates.
Daniel Msendami of Orlando Pirates. Photo: BackPage Pix

On Msendani, Mokoena is not just displeased by his performance but also doubts whether he is good enough to play for a big club like Pirates.

“Msendani comes in, he needs to show [that], that is why Pirates signed me. I want to also question the people that brought in a player like Msendani, yes, he is a quality player, I don’t mind it but abilities at Orlando Pirates are different,” he further said.

Pirates, who have been fluid and easily beaten opponents this season met their waterloo last week as the post-match penalty loss to Casric Stars came three days after losing 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the league, which ended a run of 14 games without defeat in all competitions. 

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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