Orlando Pirates & CS Sfaxien Player Ratings
Soccer Laduma rates the individual performances of the Orlando Pirates and CS Sfaxien players, following the Buccaneers' 1-0 win in Tunisia. Orlando Pirates: Brighton Mhlongo: 7 Proved to be a stalwart in between the sticks for Pirates, pulling off a few saves and was dominant with incoming crosses. Siyabonga Sangweni: 6.5 Put in a real solid showing on his return to the side and was key in helping Pirates keep a clean sheet. Happy Jele: 6.5 Much like Sangweni, hardly put a foot wrong and did well to restrict the home side to long range efforts. Ntsikelelo Nyauza: 6.5 Looked solid at right-full back and was hardly beaten by the opposing winger. Thabo Matlaba: 6 Looked a real threat going forward, but he was shaky at the back and gave away a few needless free-kicks in threatening positions. Issa Sarr: 6 Did well to cut out numerous Sfaxien attacks, although his passing was a bit wayward at times. Oupa Manyisa: 6 It proved to be a quiet afternoon for the Buccaneers skipper, who spent most of the game tracking back and defending. Thabo Rakhale: 7.5 Pirates best player on the pitch, proved to be a real threat on the flanks and popped with an audacious winner in the second half. Sifiso Myeni: 6 Looked lively on a few occasions, although he could have tracked back to help Matlaba defensively. Thamsanqa Gabuza: 6 Battled against the Sfaxien defence but hardly got any service throughout the game. Lehlonololo Majoro: 6.5 Worked hard alongside Gabuza, although he could have been a bit more clinical with a couple of the chances he had. Substitutes: Patrick Phungwayo: 6 Replaced the injured Matlaba in the 70th minute and hardly put a foot wrong and was better defensively. Kermit Erasmus: 6 Brought on in the 72nd minute but could have had a brace had he been more clinical in front of goal. Thandani Ntshumayelo: NA Brought on in the final 10 minutes and put in a couple tackles in his short cameo. CS Sfaxien Ratings: Rami Jeridi: 6.5 Sfaxien had their goalkeeper to thank for the low scoreline, as he pulled off a few fine saves throughout the game. Ali Maaloul: 6 Proved to be real threat down the left flank going forward, but had a tough time dealing with Rakhale. Wajdi Saidani: 6 Was solid defensively and got forward on a few occasions, although he was lucky not give away a penalty in the first half. Selim Benjemia: 6 Was solid for most of the 90 minutes and did well to contain Gabuza. Zied Derbali: 6 Picked up needless yellow card in the second half, but was solid overall. Yassine Meriah: 6 Did well to stop the likes of Manyisa and Myeni attack through the middle, but he hardly had a big impact on the game. Med Ali Moncer: Kept thing ticking in the middle of the park for Sfaxien, but hardly did anything special. Houssem Louati: 6 Hardly put a foot wrong, although he hardly stood out for the home side. Maher Hanachi: 6 Hardly got any joy down the left flank and failed to contribute in the final third. Ghazi Chalouf: 6 Got off to lively start down the right flank but his end product was poor. Selim Mezlini: 6 Proved to be a frustrating evening for the Sfaxien forward, who struggled against Sangweni and Jele. Substitutes: Mejdi Mosrati: 6 Brought on after the hour-mark, but failed to make the desire impact. Hamza Hadda: 6 Came in to add more attack in the Sfaxien midfield, but struggled to get going.
