Sundowns vs Pirates: Bucs tipped to beat Masandawana but doubt cast over Mbekezeli, Seema defence

Mamelodi Sundowns are set to host Orlando Pirates on Saturday in the Premier Soccer League assignment that will be staged at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

A win for the Buccaneers will take them level on points with the defending champions, who are at the summit of the table with 21 points. Sekhukhune United are currently second with 20 points following their 1-0 loss against Sekhukhune United, while Kaizer Chiefs come in third with a point less, thanks to their victory over Durban City by a solitary goal.

Fourth-placed Bucs are out of CAF inter-club competition, which some stakeholders feel is an advantage to them.

Pirates tipped to beat Sundowns but wary of Bucs’ defence

Former Bucs midfielder Oupa Manyisa has given Masandawana no chance against the Soweto giants. He, however, feels the central defence that is marshaled by Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Lebone Seema is not up to the task.

“I think Pirates will win 2-0, Appollis will score. I’m looking at how they have been playing going forward. My only worry is at the back. I feel they haven’t been tested much,” he told the Pitchside ahead of the game.

“They need a little bit of experience there at the back. Sometimes they get too excited. I even watched their game against Magesi. You are 2-0 up, but you still want to rush the ball and run. Keep the ball, it’s four minutes left,  just keep the ball,” he added. 

Nduli, the blessing for Mbokazi and Seema?

Former Masandawana midfielder Teko Modise has given Sihle Nduli his flowers for the work he is doing in midfield.

“The two centre-backs that have been doing well for Pirates, Seema and Mbokazi, I think the biggest reason they haven’t been tested is Nduli. I think Nduli is one of those players who are so underrated in that team, also a player who has been so important. 

“Back then, we never really appreciated people who played number six. Now, we are starting to do so, and Nduli is one player who is the Nduli we know from Stellenbosch. He covers so much ground and allows the superstars to shine going forward. 

“That is the person who really protects that centre-back pairing. If Sundowns can break him or shift him from the defensive position that he is in, to the side to be able to penetrate through, we might test those two centre-backs,” Modise concluded.