Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has applauded Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro for opting to play both Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane in
Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has applauded Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro for opting to play both Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane in their 2-1 win over TS Galaxy on Sunday.
The victory was the Buccaneers’ sixth league win in a row and saw them back in second position on the DStv premiership log with 49 points, just two points ahead of SuperSport United with three matches left to go.
It was Monyane’s first start for the Buccaneers in 2023, which allowed Mako to revert back to left-back after he had featured on the opposite end in recent games.
Khanye says he has not seen the Pirates coach play the two in what he believes to be their best positions, stating Riveiro’s decision added balance at the back ahead of upcoming Nedbank Cup Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs.
“I’m not sure, if it is because Pirates are preparing for the derby but they did a good thing where by they had a balance in the defence by playing Mako on the left and Monyane on the right,” said Khanye on iDiski TV.
“I don’t understand why the coach wasn’t doing this [in the last games] because today they looked balanced and solid on both sides.
“Both their wing-backs could deal with one-vs-one situations because they have speed, energy, timing, they are firm on their feet and they are also good technically.
“Both Mako and Monyane can also score goals and this gives their goalkeeper, who likes playing the ball, options because his central defenders aren’t very comfortable playing the ball.
“So I think that these two [Mako and Monyane] were played in their best positions in this match.”
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