Soccer Laduma rates in the individual performances of Orlando Pirates Players following their 2-1 win over AmaZulu on 11 February 2015
Brighton Mhlongo: 6
He was solid between the sticks for Pirates, but did not have much to do in terms of shot stopping as AmaZulu’s attack struggled to break behind the Pirates defence. He performed what duties he had to well enough.
Happy Jele: 6
Was a rather quiet night for the right-wing-back who offered very little in attack, but did what he had to in defence.
Ayanda Gcaba: 6
Gcaba along with Sangweni was solid in their centre-back pairing, but he did make one mistake which allowed Mabizela to get ahead of him at a free-kick to score for AmaZulu.
Siyabonga Sangweni: 7
Sangweni, like his parting centre-back Gcaba, was solid in his defensive role. He was strong, quick on the ball and read the game well which allowed him to stop any possible threat on goal before it happened. He also posed a threat in attack at set-pieces and had one header on goal in the first half.
Thabo Matlaba: 6
It was not the greatest game for Matlaba who did not offer much in terms of attack and when he did get forward his passing was poor as was his shooting. He did perform his defensive duties well. He also redeemed himself a bit with the assist for his side’s opening goal.
Mpho Makola: 6
Makola was quiet in his attacking midfield role. He did not get down the wing much and did not add much to the game. He was not bad, but he did nothing significant either. He was substituted in the 56th minute.
Issa Sarr: 6
He was solid in his holding midfield role. He provided a good buffer in front of his defence, but did not offer much in terms of attacking flair from midfield.
Oupa Manyisa: 6
Mayisa was not his usual creative influence in the heart of the Pirates midfield. He was largely kept quiet and not allowed any time on the ball.
Sifiso Myeni: 6
Myeni was very quiet down the flank for Pirates. Normally he is a lively player, but it was not his night and offered very little in attack.
Lehlohonolo Majoro: 7
Majoro did not get many chances in front of goal, but that was not really his fault as he did not receive any good supply from his midfielders. He did do a lot of hard work off the ball and was finally rewarded for his effort with his side’s first a goal, a delicate chip over the goalkeeper.
Lennox Bacela: 6
Majoro did not get many chances in front of goal, but that was not really his fault as he did not receive any good supply from his midfielders. He did do a lot of hard work off the ball and had a high work rate, but came off in the 65th minute.
Substitutes
Thabo Rakhale: 6
Came on in the 57th minute and did not have much of an impact. He did have a couple shot son goal, but they were wayward.
Kermit Erasmus: 7
Came on in the 65th minute and scored the winning goal. He looked lively since coming on and caused the AmaZulu defence problems with his speed.
Thandani Ntshumayelo: N/A
Came on in the 93rd minute and did not have enough time to make an impact.