Bucs spoilt for choice

Muhsin Ertugral has indicated that Felipe Ovono (pictured) will get an extended period of time to prove himself as Orlando Pirates’ No 1 goalkeeper.

Ovono was a slightly surprising choice by the new Buccaneers coach to start the season in goal, with Brighton Mhlongo having impressed in his time as first-choice and with Bafana Bafana shot-stopper Jackson Mabokgwane also being brought in.

Equatorial Guinea keeper Ovono’s error gave Golden Arrows a goal on Wednesday in Pirates’ Absa Premiership opener, even though Ertugral’s side ultimately ran out 3-1 winners.

Pirates next take on Bidvest Wits in tomorrow’s MTN8 quarterfinal.

“If Brighton is not starting it doesn’t mean it will always be like that, and Jackson is a Bafana player, so we have great goalkeepers. But we also need to make sure the goalkeeper does not rotate a lot,” Ertugral said at a press conference yesterday .

“Ovono has convinced us and he will get his moment in goal and we will see how it goes in the next couple of months.”

The coach seems unlikely to make many changes at all for the clash with the Clever Boys, understandable after such a positive start to the season. One man who could come in, however, is Thabiso Kutumela, who was excellent off the bench.

“I am amazed by the quality he has running off the ball,” said Ertugral.

“I have not seen that in South Africa, from this type of player who came from the NFD and just jumped into a Premier League side. He is a very interesting player and I think he will go very far in South African football.”