Confirmed: Orlando Pirates player’s new duties

Football never stays the same and so do players’ roles on the pitch. Orlando Pirates’ Makhehleni Makhaula is the latest example.

Makhehlene Makhaula trains in the rain at the Rands Stadium. Image: @orlandopirates/X

Orlando Pirates supporters must have seen the change. Makhehleni Makhaula has shown a different side to his game.

JOSE RIVEIRO CONFIRMS MAKHEHLENI MAKHAULA’S EVOLUTION

Many of us have known the 35-year-old Makhaula as a sitting defensive midfielder, until he started to roam in attacking positions to score goal in the recent 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United, not forgetting his goal for the Sea Robbers in the Nedbank Cup final last season.

“Makhaula is more defensive, Kabelo is more offensive, but in this team, we defend as a team,” said Jose Riveiro via FARPost. “When we have the ball, we attack as a team. As you have seen recently Makhaula’s evolution, he is offensive when we are on the ball. He has been impressive for us.

“We played with two players with experience. Dlamini’s numbers in the league are top in every aspect. It means a lot to us,” concluded the Orlando Pirates tactician.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS 4-1 ORLANDO PIRATES

Orlando Pirates feel like the Betway Premiership championship is gone.

Grant Kekana’s header, followed by two goals from Lucas Ribeiro and a Teboho Mokoena shot gave Sundowns nine-point. According to Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro, the true picture will emerge at the end of the season.

“The difference between the two teams will be shown at the end of the season, we will see if we are at the same level and if the difference is big or not,” Riveiro said via Sowetan.

“The difference is never in one game, even when we beat them in the final in the Nedbank Cup the difference between these two teams was not there. They were better than us [on Saturday] to find the way to win this match despite the circumstances [poor state of the pitch].

“It is game number 14 and we have to play 16 games. We have to play the CAF Champions League and the Nedbank Cup. This is just one game, it’s not nice to lose 4-1,” the Orlando Pirates mentor added.

“It is not nice to lose here because we came here to compete and collect points. This is football, we are used to winning and losing games, so it is not going to be a problem.

“We didn’t lose a final, we just lost three points.

“We played Sekhukhune away, we never beat them before during my time at Pirates, but we managed to get another three points. Now we are here with Sundowns competing as hell, the way we ran on the field despite the 4-1. If I look at the week we had, I’m positive about how we are doing things, we are competing in all competitions and we have a title in our cabinet this season,” concluded the Spaniard.

IS JOSE RIVEIRO RIGHT?

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