Orlando Pirates will have one big decision to make when they face rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby on Saturday.
Pirates' spirits will be high after progressing to the final of the MTN8 with a 3-0 thrashing of Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final second leg. The Sea Robbers went into the Sundowns clash missing several key players, including goalkeeper Richard Ofori and Bandile Shandu, who were reported to be doubtful by the club.
Read: Four Headaches For Chiefs' Zwane Ahead Of Soweto Derby
One of the biggest decisions head coach Jose Riveiro will have to make is in goals, should Ofori be available for selection. Ofori has been regarded as the number one goalkeeper at the Sea Robbers, however, his injuries recently, stretching back from last season has seen him miss a number of games for the club.
Against Sundowns, Siyabonga Mpontshane proved to be a capable replacement, as he kept a clean sheet for the Buccaneers, something that has become a norm under Riveiro. Pirates have kept nine clean sheets out of their 15 games in all competitions this season, with Ofori responsible for six of them as a regular.
However, the Ghanaian was criticized for sloppy mistakes this season, something he's not stranger to at the club, as Soccer Laduma also reported recently that the club's hierarchy are growing impatient of his elementary errors and are seeking a solid goalkeeper in the market, with AmaZulu shot-stopper Veli Mothwa their prime target.
Read: What Chiefs Will Bank On Ahead Of Soweto Derby
But the question on whether Mpontshane should actually be promoted to number one has not been entertained at least by the supporters.
Mpontshane has been decent when he has had to fill in for Ofori, as he played the most number of matches between the two goalkeepers last season and therefore kept the most number of clean sheets.
The 36-year old kept 13 clean sheets in 27 appearances for the club during the last campaign, while Ofori did not concede in nine out of the 20 games he played in an injury-interrupted 2021/22 season.
