The stars who can help Pirates make history
ORLANDO Pirates are on the verge of making history once more when they take on Berkane FC in the CAF Confederation Cup final today at 9pm.
The Buccaneers could become the first South African club to win all continental competitions they’ve ever competed in after claiming the CAF Champions League and Super Cup in 1995 and 1996 respectively.
The Sea Robbers have blown hot and cold on occasion during their campaign on home soil. However, their exploits in the Confederation Cup seemingly brought about a great deal of ‘fresh air’.
They eased their way through the group stages and weathered all storms in the knockout rounds to reach their second ever Confederations Cup final.
Mandla Ncikazi’s men have the potential to cause problems for any team on the continent when they’re on song and will need their best players to step up in this season-saving battle in Uyo Stadium in Nigeria.
We take a look at four players that need to come to the party for Pirates tonight.
Thembinkosi Lorch
The 28-year-old star has had an injury-disrupted campaign and has found it difficult to regain his fitness and get anywhere close to the form that saw him win Footballer of the Season in the 2018/2019 campaign.
However Lorch is the best player in the Buccaneers’ camp and often many of his teammates look to him to provide the imagination and precision on the attacking front. On his day, he is unplayable and will need to be in that sort of mood to break down the North Africans.
Richard Ofori
The Ghanaian international has re-established himself as the team’s number one goalkeeper following his return from injury, helping his side claim a penalty shoot-out win by saving and thereafter converting a penalty himself at the quarter-final stage against Simba SC.
Ofori is a valuable component to the Pirates’ backline and his leadership, organisation and shot-stopping will need to be heightened for his side to emerge victorious on neutral territory.
Bandile Shandu
The Pietermaritzburg-born versatile player is having his best season in top flight football and has earned himself a call-up to the national team.
He has been particularly impressive in the Confederation Cup.
Shandu is second on the top-scorers’ list of this year’s campaign with four goals. His swashbuckling runs down the right flank for Pirates has offered Ncikazi a different dimension and a different source of goals. If Shandu wants to etch his name in the club’s history, this is the occasion he should be looking to embrace.
Kwame Peprah
It’s no secret that Pirates possess some of the best players in the league and hence play an enterprising brand of football under coaches Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids.
The club’s shortfalls this season have been mostly in front of goal.
Peprah, in his first season, has been entrusted with the team’s goal-scoring duties.
The Ghanaian international has shown glimpses of his ruthlessness in front of goal and will need to be at his best to avoid familiar scenes of chances being wasted.