Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates reacts in disappointment after missed chance during the 2025 Nedbank Cup last 8 match between SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on 08 March 2025
Samuel Shivambu, Backpages
Orlando Pirates find themselves in a tricky situation as they prepare for their crucial league encounter against Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday evening.
Fresh from an emphatic victory over SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup, the Buccaneers will be eager to keep pace with log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Read: Pirates To Consider Rotation Ahead Of Crucial Fixtures
However, coach Jose Riveiro faces a selection dilemma, with key players walking the disciplinary tightrope just days before the highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash against Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Sunday.
Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Thalente Mbatha are all on three yellow cards this season, as per the PSL’s suspension list.
A further booking against Stellenbosch would see them serve an automatic one-match suspension, ruling them out of the all-important Sundowns fixture.
This leaves Riveiro with a difficult decision – should he risk fielding his best players and focus solely on securing maximum points tonight, or should he take a cautious approach to ensure his strongest squad is available for Sunday’s showdown?
The stakes are incredibly high for Pirates, who are eager to avenge their 4-1 first-round defeat to Sundowns and close the 16-point gap at the top, with the Soweto giants still having four games in hand.
Read: Pressure Mounting For September At Chippa
Dropping points against Stellenbosch would be detrimental to their title hopes, but losing key players for Sunday’s encounter could prove even costlier.
Riveiro’s tactical approach tonight will be telling. He may opt to start the trio but instruct them to play cautiously, or he might rotate the squad to safeguard them for the Sundowns fixture. Either way, the Buccaneers will need to navigate this delicate situation wisely to keep their title ambitions alive without compromising their squad depth for the crucial weekend clash.
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