Orlando Pirates may not need to use midfielders out of position at right back anymore, the Siya crew has been informed.
This is thanks to the promotion of starlet Jabulani Mokone who will be expected to stake a claim in the first team after impressing in the Carling All Star challenge under Jose Riveiro, where they beat Stellenbosch FC on the weekend.
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Midfielder Fortune Makaringe is the player who was used as a right back when the squad was stretched for options, but Siya sources have now indicated that the technical team is looking at giving the teenager a chance to train with the first team. He can then be promoted from the Diski Challenge side after the Africa Cup of Nations and ahead of a return of PSL action in February.
Mokone would be competing with Thabiso Monyane and Bandile Shandu as natural right backs, while Makaringe will still be under consideration.
"The idea is to strengthen the right back position in their defensive line. You know recently they have even been using Makaringe in that position because they are slim in that department so bringing in Mokone is aimed at alleviating that problem," said the Siya source.
"It may not be imminent but that's what they are working on. The technical team is happy with his progress and they have agreed that he is ready for first team action," the source told Soccer Laduma.
A second Siya source discussed how Mokone playing in the Carling Black Label All Stars team has enhanced his opportunities for Pirates' first team.
"When he was voted into the Carling All Stars team he was already on the radar for Pirates' first team action and what happened in that game against Stellenbosch FC just proved that what the technical team has seen in him is right and that he is ready to play at the highest level," said the second Siya source.
"From the look of things it will be very soon because there are a few players at the club playing in that position and they are going to give him the chance as it stands," the source concluded.
Soccer Laduma contacted Pirates for comment but no response was received while this story was prepared.
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