Orlando Pirates have plenty of reason to smile after several of their new players impressed in recent matches.
Against Chippa United, Thapelo Mokobodi was handed his first start by head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, and the midfielder certainly made the most of his opportunity.
He put in a confident display, bossing the midfield while looking comfortable in possession.
With Sihle Nduli and Thalente Mbatha currently out injured, Mokobodi could be in line for more game time. Regular minutes could also help the youngster build his confidence and settle into the Buccaneers’ midfield.
Orlando Pirates new signings finding their feet
Mokobodi is not the only new arrival who has raised his hand. Gamphani Lungu and Kabelo Kgositsile have also shown promising signs.
Lungu has already scored twice and is quickly becoming a fan favourite. His goals have come at crucial moments, putting Pirates in a strong position and showing that he could become a go-to player when the Buccaneers need someone to make the difference in front of goal.
Kgositsile, meanwhile, has impressed when coming off the bench. His end product still needs some polishing, but there is plenty to like about his game. He looks confident on the ball, makes intelligent runs and has the ability to dribble past defenders.
If he is allowed to start, Kgositsile could be one of the next new arrivals to make a bigger impact and potentially score his first goal in Pirates colours.
There are, however, several other new Orlando Pirates players who are yet to get a sustained run in the team or showcase their full potential.
As the season progresses, Ouaddou will get a clearer idea of which of his new signings can become key players for Orlando Pirates and which ones may struggle to live up to expectations.
