Soccer Laduma rates the individual performances of the Orlando Pirates players, following their 1-0 win over Al Ahly.
Orlando Pirates Ratings:
Felipe Ovono: 7
Didn't have a lot of saves to make but he commanded his area and rushed off his line on a couple occasions to ensure he kept a clean sheet.
Ntsikelelo Nyauza: 6.5
Hardly gave anything away at right-back, frustrated his marker on a few occasions, but spent most of the game defending, while popped up with an important clearance in the first half.
Rooi Mahamutsa: 7
The skipper on the night put in solid showing in the heart of the defence and he did well to keep the likes of Sobhi and Antwi quiet in the final third.
Ayanda Gcaba: 7
Made a rare start this season in the defence this season, but showed his class defensively and hardly put a foot wrong.
Thabo Matlaba: 6.5
Put in a solid effort on both ends of the pitch, although he struggled to test the opposition goalkeeper with his efforts from distance.
Lehlogonolo Masalesa: 6.5
Masalesa put in a fine showing in the middle of the park, spent most of the game defending and he certainly did well to frustrate the Egyptians in the final third.
Thandani Ntshumayelo: 6
Much like Masalesa spent most of the game defending, although he did put in a solid showing for 65 minute, although he got tired and was replaced by Issa Sarr.
Mpho Makola: 6
Not the liveliest of showings from the Pirates midfielder, who spent of the game tracking back, due to the amount of possession the visitors enjoyed.
Sifiso Myeni: 6
Looked lively whenever he was on the ball down the left flank, however lively moments were only glimpses due to the Buccaneers sitting deep in their own half.
Thamsanqa Gabuza: 7
Gabuza put a real hard-working shift as he lead the line, he was always closing down when Pirates were without possession and he also popped up with the goal in the first half with an instinctive flick at the near post.
Kermit Erasmus: 6.5
Started off like a house on fire, as he had the beating of his man on a couple of occasions down the left, he clinched the assist for Gabuza's goal with a clinical cross and he was a constant threat whenever he was in possession in the final third.
Substitutes:
Issa Sarr: 6
Brought on to replace the tired Ntshumayelo in the 65th minute and certainly put in a shift in the middle of the park, as the Buccaneers sat back for most of the game.
Lehlohonolo Majoro: 6
Replaced Erasmus in the final 20 minute but he hardly a sniff at goal, as Al Ahly dominated the game from the onset and Majoro was left to track back on a few occasions.
