After the MTN8 first leg between Orlando Pirates & Mamelodi Sundowns, Soccer Laduma looks at the key talking points before they meet again in the second leg in Atteridgeville this weekend.
The clash finished 1-1 at Orlando Stadium, setting up an intruiging second leg clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium this Saturday. Before they meet again, Soccer Laduma unpacks the key talking points from the first leg encounter.
READ: Sundowns Coach: What Happened To Mothiba
Sebelelele the man to watch
Former TS Galaxy winger Kamogelo Sebelebele got his first start as a Pirates player and he took his chance. He scored the equaliser to give Pirates a fighting chance going into the second leg, but he contributed more than just a goal. He was a constant threat on the right wing, making dangerous runs which made life difficult for the Sundowns defenders. He helped out defensively as well, making sure that Sundowns left back Aubrey Modiba does not cause problems going forward.
Zwane to miss the second leg?
Sundowns captain Themba Zwane was taken off with what looked like a thigh injury in the first quarter of the match. Zwane is a doubt for the second leg, meaning Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso may need to have another look at his options. The concern for Sundowns is that Jayden Adams came on for Zwane, but did not make much of an impact. If Zwane misses the second leg, Sundowns will need someone who can come in and be influential in attack.
Set pieces still a problem for Pirates
Pirates conceded yet again from a set piece and it's clear that this is a problem they are still carrying from last season. Teboho Mokoena had space to head home the opener from a Marcelo Allende corner kick, as Pirates right back Deano van Rooyen failed to close him down. It's an issue Pirates need to work on going into the second leg.
Pirates need a goal poacher
A concern for Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou early on in the season is not having a striker who is banging in the goals. While it's still early in the season, it was evident that Pirates needed someone upfront to put more pressure on the Sundowns defence and take chances. Evidence Makgopa started upfront and did well to protect the ball and feed it to teammates, but he spent a lot of the time outside the opposition box. When he was in the box, he was not clinical.
READ: Maema's Sundowns Fate Decided
Sales can be main man for Sundowns
With Lucas Ribeiro Costa not in the Sundowns squad, compatriot Arthur Sales is showing early signs of being Sundowns' main source of creativity. He has a bit more freedom to move around in attack, allowing him to find space in the Pirates half. He will be a threat in the second leg.
'Tito' and Rele struggling?
Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng are Pirates' most influential attackers, but they were hardly in the game in the first leg. This will no doubt be a concern for Ouaddou, as Pirates need to go into the second leg with their most creative midfielders in fine form.
