The legendary and cherished Orlando Pirates No. 11 shirt is available in the coming season following the departure of Sifiso "Ntsunda" Myeni. The famous jersey has many renowned former owners, including Teko "Dona" Modise, Jabu "Shuffle" Mahlangu, Phumlani "BMX" Mkhize and Helman "Midnight Express" Mkhalele, and is now in need of a new heir with the suitable attributes. With the No. 10 shirt having long been retired at the club, the No. 11 at Parktown is arguably the most iconic number available. It certainly needs someone with broad shoulders to take on the responsibility and do it justice.
Ideally, you expect the jersey to be handed to a winger who has the quality to take Orlando Stadium by storm. A player who takes on fullbacks and also comes inside to add his fair share of goals for the Buccaneers. Step up Luvuyo "Mbherere" Memela, Thabo "Jomo" Rakhale, Reyaad "Ntshebe" Norodien, Donald Mokondelela, Bernard Morrison, Sello Jaftha or Mahlatse "Kudus" Makudubela.
Luvuyo Memela plays both on the left and right flanks with speed, skill, intelligence and goalscoring ability through open play as well on set pieces – he currently wears No. 37. Thabo Rakhale, a player much adored at Orlando Stadium and who currently dons No. 25, is appreciated for his flamboyant skill, high work rate and goalscoring ability from wide.
A surprising and confident decision on this shirt number may occur should it find one of the hands of the numerous new attackers arriving at Parktown this winter. Speedy wingers such as the lanky Makudubela, who does his business mainly on the left side, is a possibility, so is Ajax Cape Town graduate and plucky Norodien, the pacy and powerful Mokondelela; maybe even the Ghanaian Morrison, who's known to cause real nuisance to defenders with his relentless trickery. Another potential is the young and highly technical left footer that is Jaftha.
Muhsin Ertugral does not have much time to register his squad for the Premier Soccer League – one of those names will have the No. 11 next to it.
By Siseko Gwegwe
Who do you think deserves the legendary Bucs No. 11 shirt?
