Orlando Pirates fans are likely noticing a shift in Makhehleni Makhaula’s style of play.
Jose Riveiro Acknowledges Makhaula’s Transformation For a long time, Makhaula has been known as a steady defensive midfielder. However, in recent matches, he has showcased a more attacking side to his game, even scoring goals—such as the one in the 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United and his key goal in last season’s Nedbank Cup final.
“Makhaula is more of a defensive player, while Kabelo leans more towards an attacking role, but in this team, we defend and attack as a collective,” said Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro in an interview with FARPost. “Lately, Makhaula has evolved and has been more involved in offensive play when we have possession. He’s been a standout for us.”
“We’ve been using two experienced players in midfield. Dlamini’s numbers are impressive in every league stat, and that means a lot for us,” Riveiro concluded.
Orlando Pirates’ Disappointment After Mamelodi Sundowns Defeat After their tough 4-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates supporters may feel the title race is slipping away. The match saw Grant Kekana’s header and goals from Lucas Ribeiro and Teboho Mokoena give Sundowns a commanding nine-point lead.
Riveiro remained measured about the defeat, emphasizing that the true comparison between the two teams will become clear only at the season’s end.
“The difference between the two teams will be more evident at the end of the season. We’ll see if the gap is as large as it seems,” Riveiro said, according to Sowetan.
He reminded the media that one game doesn’t define a season, recalling how Pirates defeated Sundowns in last season’s Nedbank Cup final despite Sundowns being the superior team in that match.
“It’s just one game. It’s not pleasant to lose 4-1, especially when we came here to compete and collect points. But this is football. We’ve experienced both winning and losing, and it’s not a problem. We didn’t lose a final, just three points,” Riveiro added.
Despite the defeat, Riveiro expressed confidence, pointing out that Pirates had also secured three points against Sekhukhune United in a game they hadn’t won before. “We’re competing across all competitions and we’ve already won a title this season. I’m positive about our efforts,” the Spanish coach concluded.
