Orlando Pirates Fans Weigh in on Their Season So Far.

Tshepo: After a dream start to his Pirates career with a debut goal, things haven’t gone according to plan for the big Cameroonian. He hasn’t been able to win the fans over and hasn’t scored a goal since. 2/10

Nkateko: I have forgotten that he even existed. 1/10

Mlungisi: 1 goal scored if I’m not mistaken against Swallows on match day one. After that we haven’t seen much from him. I’m not sure yet if he is good playing as the only striker or if he needs a partner to play with up front. 4/10

Average rating 7/30 or 23%

Tshepo: With the club offloading stalwarts like Jele and Nyauza, whoever came in had big shoes to fill. In came Nkosinathi Sibisi who has fitted in seamlessly into the team alongside Olisah Ndah and captain Maela. He has been a rock. 8/10

Nkateko: Pirates needed a strong defence and  the Sibisi addition is what we wanted. He started slowly but grew in confidence. Age is on his side, and he has been impressive. He is my captain but unfortunately language barriers may be not his strong point. 8/10

Mlungisi: Being a former captains of Arrows, ‘Bhodlela’ gave us an edge with his leadership qualities and command needed at the back. 9/10

Average rating  25/30 or 84%

Tshepo: He  came in as part of a swap deal with Gabadinho Mhango going to Usuthu and he has done the job whenever called upon. His crowning moment was when he replaced an injured Sibisi in the first minute of the MTN8 final and went on to put in a MOTM performance alongside Olisah Ndah. 7/10

Nkateko: Another superb signing by the team in strengthening the defense. He is such a quality player, but he needs to work on his confidence because playing for a big team, self-confidence is important no matter how talented you are. If you don’t have confidence at a team like Pirates, your talent may not be enough. He hasn’t played much but excelled in games where he played. 7/10

Mlungisi: We’ve been missing that solid and trusted center back since the departure of the likes of Mabizela, Sangweni, Lekgwati and Jele. For me, signing a leader like Xoki was a very good move. I appreciate his technique on the ball, ability to build from the back, and also his smart tackling. 7/10

Average rating 21/30 or 70%

Tshepo: Timm is the  Pirates midfield enforcer and the heartbeat of the team. He has made a smooth transition from Marumo Gallants to Pirates. He outshined the usually reliable Andile Jali against Sundowns and was flawless in the MTN8 final. His crowning achievement was receiving a Bafana Bafana call-up. 9/10

Nkateko: One of his biggest strengths is his confidence. Being a player who was developed at Pirates and grew up supporting the team makes him passionate about the club. He has the Vilakazi, Moeti and Jali attitude of ‘die another day.’ Age is not on his side because he only has 7 years of football left in him. Not your most talented player like Andile Jali, but if a coach can teach him more of passing accurately and giving him the role to link our defense and our creative players, he can be very good. His confidence is 10/10 but his rating according to performance he is still 6/10 with a great potential to go higher

Mlungisi: To see a product of our development coming back is the best thing for the team. He is our Return on investment (ROI) success story. His ability to control the middle of the park, defending and assisting in the defense impressed me a lot. His confidence [on the ball], fighting spirit and love for the badge is amazing. Overall, his work ethic is great. 8/10

Average rating  23/30 or 77%

Tshepo: A lot was expected from him, but apart from his cameo versus Sundowns, he hasn’t really settled in his position and in the team. He was at fault for the derby loss (although some former refs say he was fouled). He will have to improve drastically. 4/10

Nkateko: Much has been spoken about him. But he strikes me as one with arrogance that is required to be the best in football. I’m not sure if he is dealing well with new fame, but if not careful, he may turn to be another player which fans may ask to be released in future. Holds the ball too much and his awareness is very poor. For a 10, his passing still needs much improvement, and being a playmaker in a big team where fans already witnessed greatness in the likes of Teko Modise, he has a mountain to climb. Fan favorite, but he must start justifying his signing. A 10/10 signing, but so far, his performance is 4/10.

Mlungisi: I’m worried about his rate of losing balls in the middle which exposes our central defense. The rate of his forward play and creating goal scoring opportunities is not yet where we expect it to be. Ngimnika [I give him] 6.5/10.

Average rating  14.5/30 or 48%

Tshepo: He came in as a deadline day signing from Sundowns and has been instrumental in our MTN8 success.  He has scored 1 plus provided 3 assists for the team. He has been a perfect foil for Saleng who has benefited from his selfless runs and creativity. More is still expected. 6/10

Nkateko: Home coming to strengthen the striking force which have been a problem for the team. Not your goal poacher striker but brings so much experience and is able to calm the situation and create opportunities for others. A striker who can be able to play with his legs and someone you may use as 10 rather leading upfront. His confidence and experience will always make him a first choice upfront, but you will need a good number 9 who will benefit from him as he is likely to create goals rather than scoring them. Age is not much on his side unfortunately. 6/10

Mlungisi: ‘ululu ubuyile’ [he is back!] now as a tried and tested soldier. We know his capabilities in the final third. I like his moves; he can score and assist and can be involved in build-up play. We’ve missed a striker like him. Good signing: not yet where we expect him to be, but there are signs of better things to come. 6.5/10

Average rating 18.5/30 or 62%

Tshepo: He was signed last season from Free State Stars and loaned to Swallows FC, he has come back a much improved player. 5 goals in 8 games is a good start for one’s career including a winning goal in a cup final. He’s earned himself a Bafana recall but will know that he still needs to work hard on his game. 9/10

Nkateko: Exciting player who reminds us fans how our wingers from development used to play. The likes of Duku Duku, Cheese, the late Leremi, whom used to charge at defenders. He doesn’t play backwards football or sideways like most current wingers. A hell of a player to defend against with his skills and speed. His accurate passing and ability to take set pieces makes him so dangerous. Body strength still his downfall as he falls easily. If he stays grounded and never changes his style of playing, 10 league goals guaranteed. 8/10

Mlungisi: I’m impressed he has delivered in his short time with us. His goals contribution in the MTN 8 will never go unnoticed. Adapted well with the team and spending last season out on loan. He can dribble going forward, position himself for scoring opportunities, and have a great ability to take freekicks. 8/10

Average rating 25/30 or 85%

Tshepo: Can’t be rated since he hasn’t featured because of injury and competition. N/A

Nkateko: He may need two seasons to play for a big team. SuperSport United or Cape Town City would be an ideal home for him next season. I know they will give him years and experience in the PSL, but he is not cut for big teams. N/A

Mlungisi: Not enough game time for a rating. Perhaps, he needs to work harder to fight for his place and be injury free. N/A

No rating

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