Orlando Pirates have been linked with several new marquee names. We’ve picked three of them and explained how they’d improve the team.
Orlando Pirates’ three most exciting targets
Oswin Appollis
Polokwane City don’t want to sell their talisman, but if they get a tempting enough offer, then they’ll surely sell the 23-year-old Bafana wide attacker. Kaizer Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns are all keen.
Fawaaz Basadien
Left-back has been a problem position for Jose Riveiro. Although Deon Hotto is a super-dependable fan favourite, he’s not getting younger and left full-back isn’t his preferred role. Stellies’ Fawaaz Basadien has made 36 appearances across all competitions. 19 of those have been in the league, with three goals and three assists. Former Chiefs youngster Omega Mdaka, still only 21, has also been heavily involved with 14 appearances across all competitions. If Stellies feel that Basadien wants to leave, they already have a replacement lined up, and he’s in their first XI already. Pirates could take advantage of the player’s apparent desire to move to Soweto.
Jaedin Rhodes
The joker in the pack. Talk of Patrick Maswanganyi leaving the club continues to intensify, so it makes sense that the club might look for a new young playmaker. Cape Town City’s 21-year-old Jaedin Rhodes can operate in the number 10 role or in wide attacking positions. His potential arrival would add more youth, potency and fluidity to a front line already including Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota. If City end up getting relegated this season, it’s inevitable they’ll be forced to sell their prized assets, and Rhodes is perhaps their most valuable.
Defensive injury crisis has forced a reshuffle for Orlando Pirates
Pirates currently have four defenders on the treatment table, namely Thabiso Sesane, Thabiso Monyane, Thabiso Lebitso and Olisa Ndah. Sesane and Ndah are arguably the club’s top central defensive pairing when everyone is fit, so Riveiro is doing his best with what’s available. Ironically, the switch to three at the back meant that match-winner Nkota was the casualty in the Bucs’ starting XI. However, he proved his worth off the bench. This gives Mr Riveiro an almighty selection headache before the second leg.
Formation change in Algeria
A trio of central defenders Tapelo Xoki, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, dealt with everything thrown at them by a pacey MC Alger attack in a tricky first-leg tie. It was a pragmatic, sensible approach from head coach Jose Riveiro, and it paid dividends. We’re unlikely to see Riveiro use this system in Betway Premiership games. However, it could be just the ticket in tricky continental clashes. It’s yet another trait that Pirates fans love so much about the Spanish tactician: his adaptability.
Which of these targets would you love Pirates to sign?
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