Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has questioned Nkosinathi Sibisi’s defending despite Orlando Pirates keeping a clean sheet.
Goals from Evidence Makgopa and Oswin Appollis gave the Buccaneers all three points against Chippa United at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The talking point before the match was Mbekezeli Mbokazi. The 20-year-old defender was not part of the matchday squad pending his move to Major League Soccer (MLS).
Abdeslam Ouaddou started Sibisi and Lebone Seema in the heart of defence, but the Pirates duo looked uncomfortable defending against Bienvenu Eva Nga.
“Sibisi is an experienced player and you can see Nga is so tall but decides to let Seema handle him,” Khanye said on iDiski TV.
“Seema is very good on the ball; he’s not the type of player to man-mark a player. He is more of a sweeper and relies on timing.”
Chippa United had a few opportunities to score, but poor finishing let them down, especially in the first half. Nga had an opportunity to score but ballooned his effort over the bar with Sibisi lagging.
Sibisi and Seema partnership not working for Pirates
Khanye felt that Sibisi failed to protect Seema everytime Chippa will hit on a counter.
“Sibisi is a hard tackler and Seema is more about timing. That ball didn’t need him to dive but to trap and guide Nga not to have to ball. Instead, he dives as the last man. Eva Nga panicked, and if he had speed, it was a goal,” Khanye said.
With Mbokazi set to leave, it seems Pirates will have to stick with Sibisi and Seema for the rest of the season. Mbokazi and Seema’s partnership looked solid and was the best pairing in the league by far.
The Buccaneers next play Durban City at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, looking to top the Betway Premiership for the first time this season.
