WAITING FOR THEIR CHANCE

Orlando Pirates have a number of other young talents waiting in the wings for their first team opportunity.

AZOLA TSHOBENI (19)

The teenager has already had a taste of first team football from last season and will be keen to build on from last season. He functions in the attacking spaces in midfield.

“He was recommended to me by someone from the East Rand. This guy’s son played for my academy, and he brought Azola as well as another player and I took all of them in without hesitation. When a good player is brought in, we take them. He is a good player,” says Augusto Palacios.

THABISO SESANE (20)

Sesane has looked a good bet for the future in the games that he has played since coming through from the reserve team. He will grow further if he gets to gets into the match day squad more often than he has done since his introduction to the first team.

SIMISO BOPHELA (21)

He spent the last half of the past season out on loan at Sekhukhune United after showing enough of his qualities playing in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge, where he has been a standout performer. Industrious on the flanks, he is also able to score as much as he assists. He is yet to earn any first team minutes.

“He plays left wing while his brother Simo plays in central midfield and has been loaned to Venda Football Academy in the GladAfrica Championship. I developed these two boys from the time that they were 13 years, so I am happy to see how far they have now gone,” says Palacios.

SANDILE MTHETHWA (24)

For all the years that the towering former youth international has spent at Pirates he has yet to establish himself, which is why he has been going on loan for the last four years. He was most recently at Chippa United where he did a good job at the back. He is already 24.

KATLEGO CWINYANE (22)

He has returned to the club after having been away on loan at Sekhukhune United, where he provided goals as the won promotion. At 22, he should start playing regular football and will not be happy to bide his time on the sidelines.

THABISO MONYANE (21) Already a utility man who can play anywhere across the right flank and further up the field as well. He has been patiently knocking on the Pirates door for the past two years, earning minutes along the way which should give him the confidence that he can now have a full go for a first team jersey.

“He is a speedy and very athletic player with good penetrative runs and scores great goals. He can take players on with ease because he has the advantage of pace. These boys would randomly come for trials on their own and it is not about scouting them. After spending time in my academy, he was then promoted. He was even in the Olympic squad now, which tells you about where the boy is headed,” says Palacios.

KOPANO THUNTSANE (21) Those that have watched Thuntsane in goals will attest to that he is destined to ultimately be the next gloveman to come through the club’s ranks. The 21-year-old spent the past season with Bizana Pondo Chiefs in the first division and will feel encouraged enough to fight for a place in the team as he continues to gain experience.