Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi feels Mamelodi Sundowns ace Neo Maema would be a big hit with the Buccaneers, terming him the missing link in their midfield.
Maema has been at Sundowns since 2021 but seen his opportunities reduced in recent months although he has produced impressive performances when called upon.
One such great show was witnessed on Sunday when he scored a beautiful goal as the Brazilians beat Marumo Gallants 2-0 to seal their place in the Carling Knockout final.
Maema scored a stunner against Gallants
Maema curled in from the far post to make the victory safe deep in time added on after Lucas Ribeiro had put Sundowns ahead via the penalty spot.
Having watched that and many other matches where he starred, Vilakazi says Maema can blossom at Pirates, tipping him to form a lethal partnership in midfield with Patrick Maswanganyi that can turn Evidence Makgopa into a goal machine.
“I love this boy and when I look at the black and white colours, I see him playing with Maswanganyi attacking just in front of the defensive midfielder,” Vilakazi told iDiski TV.
Should Pirates sign the Sundowns midfielder?
“I think the football that Pirates are playing they also need a player like him so that they can balance the sides.
“If you’ve got Tito [Maswanganyi] on the middle-right, middle-left you get Maema, on the left-wing have [Relebohile] Mofokeng and on the right-wing you get [Mohau] Nkota. If you have these guys, I’m telling you this team can go to the final of the Champions League because they will also be good for Evidence Makgopa who is scoring.
“By having these two behind him will also limit Makgopa from making runs outside the box. He will stay central because these two are good with the ball, they are good readers of the ball, and they can create chances for Makgopa. The plus with Maema is that he can also score.”
