Three Orlando Pirates players, Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng, and Tapelo Xoki, find themselves on the edge of suspension ahead of the highly anticipated Nedbank Cup final against Kaizer Chiefs. These key players are one yellow card away from missing the showdown, and their participation in the crucial Soweto derby could be jeopardized if they accumulate another booking during the upcoming match against Golden Arrows.
The Pirates are set to face Golden Arrows in an important league fixture this Tuesday, with the two Soweto giants preparing to meet in the final at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday at 15:00. While the derby is an event that every player wants to be part of, the trio’s yellow card situation could lead to a major dilemma for coach Jose Riveiro.
Maswanganyi, Mofokeng, and Xoki have each received three yellow cards this season, meaning they are just one booking away from suspension. In light of this, Coach Riveiro may consider resting them against Arrows to ensure they remain eligible for the final. However, this raises concerns about team balance, as the coach will already be without Nkosinathi Sibisi and Thalente Mbatha, both of whom are serving suspensions for the Arrows clash. Riveiro now faces a difficult decision as he seeks to maintain a competitive squad while keeping his players in check for the upcoming derby.
