A successful 2022/23 season for Orlando Pirates, where they qualified for the next season's CAF Champions League and lifted two trophies means Jose Riveiro, whose acquisition at the beginning of the campaign, has well and truly proved his detractors wrong. The first round of the campaign was rather mild though, but the Buccaneers really stepped up a gear in the second round, taking the most points in the division from rounds 16 to 30. So, which Spanish coach's squad members performed expectation and who needs a kick up the backside? Who were his trusted soldiers and who wasn't given a chance to prove his worth? In this season report card for the Soweto giants, Soccer Laduma assessed the contribution of every player at Ezikamagebhula this past campaign.
Goalkeepers
Richard Ofori
The Ghanaian international continued to have an injury nightmare as an Orlando Pirates player. His three seasons have now seen just 35 leagues appearances out of 90 available. This term he played in 13 of the first 15 games, starting in the MTN8 final against AmaZulu FC and keeping four clean sheets in 10 league starts. He was at fault for both goals in the 2-0 defeat to Sekhukhune United, being beaten at his near post and then being caught on the ball outside his area. He was also at sea on a corner for the deciding goal in a 1-0 loss to Chippa United, a certain goalkeeping howler. He missed the final 24 fixtures and the Qatar World Cup due to injury. Rating: 5/10
Sipho Chaine
The 26-year-old had a fine campaign after surprisingly joining on transfer deadline day from the Chilli Boys, just a few months after a move from Royal AM. From January onwards, he played 21 successive encounters after unseating Siyabonga Mpontshane in the absence of Ofori. His 23 appearances overall may only have brought seven clean sheets, but he made some fine saves, not least from smothering close-range efforts and also using his feet well. His ball-playing brought a new dimension to the Soweto giants and he was fortunate that most of his errors (especially on dealing with crosses) went unpunished. Rating: 7.5/10
Siyabonga Mpontshane
The veteran initially covered for the injured Ofori. He played in six games with three clean sheets, including in the 3-0 MTN8 cup semi-final win over Mamelodi Sundowns. He was beaten over his head from 55 yards for Yusuf Maart's Soweto Derby goal. He then made a terrible, injury-causing challenge on Abubeker Nassir in the 2-0 defeat to the Brazilians in December, before being dropped to the bench for the rest of the season. His best moment was saving two one-on-one chances for Ashley Du Preez in the derby. Rating: 5/10
Defenders
Paseka Mako
It was another fine season for the versatile left-footer. The start of the campaign saw him playing second fiddle to Innocent Maela and Deon Hotto down the left after his serious concussion. He wasn't really considered a regular option in the back three, but the captain's injury and some question marks at right fullback saw him carve out a role as both a left back and a right back in a back four. By the end of the season, he was a key man as he started the final 16 outings. The pintsized star was excellent defensively even if he curtailed his attacking game a bit. Rating: 7.5/10
Innocent Maela
The skipper was key at the start of the season on the left of the back three. He was beaten too easily in the air for Junior Mendieta's goal against Stellenbosch FC, but his performance levels were generally good. Although he missed the MTN8 final, he was a big part of the success in the earlier rounds. He later saw red for cutting down Christian Saile in the Soweto Derby. He later switched to left back with Mako over on the right as a four-man defence line was preferred. Injury meant that the 30-year-old didn't start any of the final six games as he had a bit-part role in the Nedbank Cup win. Rating: 7/10
Thabiso Monyane
The speedster's 2021/22 campaign saw zero appearances. He was back in favour after Jose Riveiro arrived and overall he made 14 starts and had another 10 outings from the bench. He was initially the first-choice right wingback when the side were using a back three. After a tough outing against Sundowns, he went 12 DStv Premiership fixtures without a start as a back four was favoured. He finished the season in the XI due to Maela's injury and he started both cup finals. His speed on the overlap was consistently evident and a real weapon as teammates slid him passes to the byline. Rating: 7/10
Bandile Shandu
After scoring seven goals the season prior, there were no goals this time around. He appeared in 26 of the 39 encounters with 15 starts and 11 substitute introductions. He only twice played the full 90 minutes as he often brought energy from the bench. The ex-Maritzburg United man initially played second fiddle to Monyane and his period of greater involvement was when the coach moved to a back four. He is a steady squad player but didn't always look like a starting quality option. Rating: 6/10
Tapelo Xoki
The vastly experienced Khayelitsha-born lad proved an excellent signing. At the beginning of the season, he was largely on the bench with Olisa Ndah fully fit. He only started five of the first 16 fixtures, including playing the MTN8 final in the back three as Maela missed out through injury. He started 19 of the final 22 matches and built a strong pairing with Nkosinathi Sibisi. He arguably only made three errors leading to goals and mostly looked untroubled except when pulled wide. Rating: 8/10
Nkosinathi Sibisi
After arriving from Golden Arrows, he immediately became a first-choice selection. "Bhodlela" brought speed and aggression to the backline from day one. He initially played in the middle of a back three, but a move to a back four in the second half of the season didn't affect him. Regardless of his defensive partner, he looked composed. Aerially, there were some doubts over his height, but he excelled in aerial duels. Bucs kept 15 clean sheets in his 35 starts and his performance in the Nedbank Cup final was outstanding. He was arguably the Pirates Man of the Match in that showpiece fixture, even if he had some part to play in the goal conceded. Rating: 8.5/10
Sandile Mthethwa
The perpetually loaned-out centre back began the campaign as fifth choice in that position. The first 27 fixtures saw him start just once, against All Stars FC in the Nedbank Cup. A strong outing won over the coach and he started five of the final nine league fixtures. Without doubt, the crowning moment of his season was coming on as a substitute against Kaizer Chiefs and heading home an injury-time winner in the Nedbank Cup semi-final. He faces an uphill battle for minutes next season, but he can't be written off. Rating: 7.5/10
Olisa Ndah
The Nigerian featured for his nation in the Afcon in 2022 and was linked with a move to Serie A. Things didn't quite go his way this past season. He was ever-present in the MTN8, but he wasn't always at his best on the right of the back three. He only started five of the first nine league ties and his last start was in October. An injury during the World Cup break hit him hard and his return in February's Soweto Derby saw him score a costly own goal. That was his only appearance in the final 22 games in all competitions and his future now looks uncertain. Rating: 6/10
Midfielders
Miguel Timm
The Houghton-based side made a great decision when they stepped in to sign Timm from under the noses of Sekhukhune United despite him being 30 at the time. He was ever-present in the cup runs in the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup and he played the second-most minutes in the squad. The composed midfield man didn't start any of the first three league games (once unused sub and two outings from the bench), but he never looked back after that. He kept play ticking over, broke things up and gave a platform for the front players to shine. One supporter described him as "one-man game model" and that sums him up perfectly. Timm's excellent displays saw him rewarded with a Bafana Bafana debut. Rating: 8.5/10
Thabang Monare
The veteran was initially released by the club before agreeing a new one year deal. It proved a good decision as he was largely a first-choice starter when fully fit. He only started four of the first 19 encounters as injuries played a big part. He was outstanding once back at the turn of the year, playing really good games against Stellenbosch, Marumo Gallants and Downs. The ex-Bidvest Wits star played all of the key matches in the run-in alongside Timm and the duo formed a strong foundation that took Pirates to the Nedbank Cup crown. In all, he appeared in 21 of the 39 ties with 18 starts. Rating: 8/10
Goodman Mosele
The athletic destroyer was in the starting XI for the first eight games of this campaign. Riveiro clearly really liked him as a player. He was a bit in-and-out after that until getting injured against Chiefs. In the final 22 encounters, he only featured three times and once from the start. He played as one of three defensive midfielders in that match and didn't have much impact. He didn't feature in either cup final and has his work cut out to displace Timm and Monare next season. Rating: 6/10
Ben Motshwari
The experienced campaigner ended the season totally out of favour. He only had two runouts from the bench in the final 12 games having played some part in 16 of the first 27 fixtures. In all, his 18 appearances was comprised of 14 substitute outings as he mostly came on to protect leads or to give some late energy. To be fair, one of those rare starts saw him get 90 minutes in the MTN8 final and he gave a very solid performance. It looks like his time at the club will come to an end in this transfer window, if recent reports by the Siya crew are anything to go by. Rating: 6/10
Fortune Makaringe
Now 30, Makaringe spent most of the season on the fringes. Although he appeared in almost half (19) of the side 39's fixtures, only four of those were starts. He was in the XI for the big 3-0 win against the league champions in the MTN8 semi-final, although he didn't overly impress. His 15 DStv Premiership outings only came to 20% of the available minutes and he again struggled to find a suitable role, usually playing as a number 10 when used despite it not particularly suiting him. Rating: 5.5/10
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo
The diminutive playmaker played the first eight games of the season for Gallants. His performances, not least against Amakhosi, provoked Pirates to sign him late in the transfer window. He initially started as one of two 10s behind the striker in a 3-4-2-1 shape. Later on, he looked at his best as a number eight with Kabelo Dlamini in a 4-3-3. When he did play deeper, he didn't always appear strong enough defensively. Overall, he assisted once: the winner against Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup. He also scored twice – a fine long range strike against Stellies and a penalty against Gallants. There is more to come next season. Rating: 6.5/10
Kabelo Dlamini
It was a typically strange campaign for the playmaker. He started 23 games and saw himself substituted in 20 of those. He assisted six goals across the season with some excellent deliveries from wide areas, either from open play or set-pieces, forming most of those. Dlamini played well as one of two number eights at one point when Riveiro switched to a 4-3-3. He later played as a number 10 in a 4-2-3-1 and also played wide left in the Nedbank Cup Soweto Derby where he had little impact. He brings a level of technical ability and creativity but may be just below starting quality for a club like the Buccaneers. Rating: 7.5/10
Makhehlene Makhaula
The vastly experienced destroyer arrived and effectively took over Motshwari's role, that of a late-game substitute to protect leads. When he started against Swallows FC, he gave a very strong display in a 4-1 win. He got a start on the final day of the PSL season against former club AmaZulu FC, but he got booked and missed the Nedbank Cup final through suspension. One of his better outings was coming on against Chiefs in the semi-final and helping Pirates to take control of the engine room. Rating: 6.5/1
Forwards Wingers
Thembinkosi Lorch
The former PSL Footballer of the Season again spent much of his season on the treatment table. He started 10 league matches – the first four and then six from rounds 21 to 26. He again got an injury after that and returned just in time to start the Nedbank Cup final. Overall, "Nyoso" netted four goals, but three of those came against lower-league opponents in the Nedbank Cup and he only netted once in the PSL. With off-field issues and constant long-term injuries, the fan-favourite has never managed to get himself 100% match-fit. It's now arguably four seasons since we saw the real Lorch on a consistent basis. Rating: 7/10
Monnapule Saleng
The former Free State Stars winger had a sensational season. He wasn't in the plans initially and barely played in the first nine fixtures (just one sub outing). After his breakout match against Sundowns with two goals and an assist in the MTN8 semi-final, he became the team's most important player. With 15 goals and 11 assists overall, including scoring the winner in the MTN8 final and assisting the winner in the Nedbank Cup final, he was incredibly consistent. He netted a hattrick against Swallows and a brace against Arrows. His best games came as a right winger, but he also had some quieter outings, such as in the two Soweto derbies in the league. Rating: 9/10
Kermit Erasmus
Overall, the return of "Romeo" saw him start 15 matches (with 10 outings from the bench) and four goals scored. He started well by netting against Downs on his first start in the MTN8 and he contributed three assists in his first two league starts. His DStv Premiership season ended with a 10-game goalless drought, but he did score a tap-in against Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals. It was a mixed campaign and we never saw him at his most dynamic. Rating: 6/10
Deon Hotto
After 99 appearances in his first two seasons with the Sea Robbers, he again played a lot of matches. The Namibian appeared in 36 of the 39 games. He initially played as the left wingback and later moved forward to a winger role. When injuries struck towards the end of the campaign, Riveiro used him as a left back on a few occasions. His tally of three goals and two assists had a lot to do with playing so much deeper, but he also struggled to show the same cutting edge when used as a winger. He could find himself as a squad player next season instead of being a regular in the first XI. Rating: 6/10
Terrence Dzvukamanja
In Pirates' first 20 games up to 13 January, the Zimbabwean had featured just once… for 23 minutes nogal. He completely turned his Bucs career around after that as a move to SuperSport United appeared close. In just 19 outings, he scored eight goals and most of them were superb headers from crosses. The vast majority of his games were as a false nine and he dropped off to link play and make space for the likes of Saleng to thrive. He capped off his campaign with a last-gasp winning goal in the Nedbank Cup final. The club's management is set to activate the option on his contract and keep him next season. Rating: 8/10
Relebohile Ratomo
The teenage winger made two starts this season in the DStv Premiership. He was excellent on debut against Royal AM and was robbed of a strike that was harshly credited as an own goal. On the final day, he scored and assisted against AmaZulu FC and he was on the bench for the Nedbank Cup final as he earned a winners' medal. There is a bright future if he gets chances next term and doesn't lose focus off the field. Rating: 7.5/10
Bienvenu Eva Nga
After netting 10 goals for Chippa in the 2021/22 season, big things were expected of the Cameroonian forward. He scored on his debut against Swallows FC, but that was his only strike all campaign. Of his 590 minutes, 502 of those came in the first eight games (with six starts), but the final 31 fixtures saw him get just 82 minutes. The big striker missed a lot of chances early in the season and had the supporters on his back. He did come on to have an impact from the bench against Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup, but it's hard to see him staying in the squad for next season. Rating: 4/10
Vincent Pule
The winger had a long-term injury last season and this one didn't turn out much better for him. He started four of the first six fixtures and scored against Royal AM in the Nedbank Cup. In the final 24 league matches, he only started twice – in the defeats to Chiefs and Sundowns. He played as a number 10 in the latter fixture and didn't really impress. He wasn't used much in the final 11 games and faces an uncertain future with the breakthrough of Ratomo and the rumoured signing of Katlego Otladisa. Rating: 4/10
Zakhele Lepasa
The Bafana Bafana striker had quite a strange campaign. He got some early-season opportunities and actually played alongside Eva Nga in some early outings. He assisted a goal from the bench in the 3-0 win against the Brazilians. In October, he netted a brace against TS Galaxy (his only goals for Pirates in 2022/23) as he benefitted from a goalkeeping howler and a certain own goal being credited to him in the official referee report. He started alongside Erasmus in attack in the last league match before the World Cup hiatus, but he was out of favour when club football resumed, so he left on loan. Rating: 6/10
No Rating
Ndumiso Mabena
The decision to sign the 36-year-old after several months of inactivity was a bizarre call. He was given 15 minutes as a substitute against Sundowns in his only appearance.
Craig Martin
The Soweto giants paid a significant fee for his services in January and he featured in just six games, five of those from the bench and one start against All Stars FC. He didn't play at all in the final 15 fixtures.
Collins Makgaka
His season entailed four brief substitute outings and not a single minute after October. His three years at Pirates have yielded just 687 minutes – no real surprise for someone who was not even a key player at relegated Baroka FC.
Tebogo Tlolane
He was a surprise starter in the second league fixture against Stellies. He struggled to impact that game from left wingback and was hooked at half-time. He was loaned out in January.
Evidence Makgopa
It was a bit of a wasted season for the lanky Bafana Bafana striker. He had six substitute outings totalling a paltry 126 minutes. He may need a loan next season to avoid stagnating more and to get over some injury problems.
Kwame Peprah
The Ghanian forward only made six appearances totalling 109 minutes for the club last season before a January loan to Maritzburg United. He had played a lot in pre-season, but Riveiro seemed to quickly change his mind on the player.
Souaibou Marou
The club signed the Cameroon World Cup squad member for a fee said to be around R3.5 million. Five short substitute outings coming to the grand sum of 46 minutes on the pitch were all the Soweto giants had to show for their investment.
