Exclusive | Sebola urges Orlando Pirates to exploit Mamelodi Sundowns’ vulnerability

Former Orlando Pirates attacker Andries Sebola believes his former club are finally showing the consistency and balance needed to compete for top honours both domestically and on the continent.

The Buccaneers will continue their CAF Champions League journey this weekend when they travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo to face Saint Eloi Lupopo in the second preliminary round at the Frederic Kibassa Maliba Stadium on Sunday, after an impressive start to the season.

The Soweto giants breezed past Lesotho Premier League outfit Lioli FC with an emphatic 7-0 aggregate victory in the first preliminary round. While they will be keen to improve on last season’s semi-final finish, their domestic league form has been equally impressive.

The Sea Robbers are currently on a five-match winning streak, with much of their confidence built from that run heading into their dominant start in continental competition. With eyes also on challenging Mamelodi Sundowns in the league — as they seek to become the first side to end the Brazilians’ eight-season league title streak — Pirates are perfectly positioned to mount a solid campaign.

Sundowns, meanwhile, return to action after the international break with a Champions League fixture against Nigerian side Remo Stars this Sunday. With the defending champions enduring a stuttering start to the season, Sebola believes the Buccaneers must seize the moment.

“The difficulties that Sundowns are facing currently give Pirates the opportunity to put more pressure on them,” Sebola told Independent Newspapers.

“And if they can manage to go up to the first position in the league and ensure that they pick up as many points as they can now, it will come in handy towards the end of the season.”

Sebola has been impressed with the start coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has made at the helm, particularly how he has managed to stabilise the defence despite the selection challenges that come with the squad’s depth.

“Things have been looking good for coach Abdeslam, particularly in the options he has at the back.

“Thabiso Lebitso is there and the coach knows if he’s not doing well then there is Bandile Shandu. There is (Lebone) Seema and (Nkosinathi) Sibisi who has been on the bench and if there is a need he will come in.

“Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been doing well, but there is also (Thabiso) Sesane if he is also not doing well.”

Sebola also praised the competition in midfield, believing it will be key to Pirates’ ambitions this season. He expressed hope that midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi, who has struggled for consistency, will soon rediscover his best form.

“There is good competition even in the middle of the park. A player like Maswanganyi has been struggling a bit and that might be because of the injuries that he has had.

“Perhaps the opponents are targeting him because he always gets kicked and often on the floor. It’s just a matter of him ensuring that the opportunities that he gets, he puts in good performances because we all know how good he is, he can deliver for Pirates at any given time.”

Sebola added that midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng had also not yet reached his best level, partly due to being played out of his preferred position, though his new role has brought some success.

“Even Relebohile Mofokeng is not the player we know from last season, and maybe because the coach doesn’t play him as much on the left but often plays him as a number ten.

“Maybe he does that to get him to create chances for the strikers because we now see players like (Tshegofatso) Mabasa coming into the picture and scoring goals for the team, which is good, but it is just a matter of Pirates ensuring that they collect each and every point whenever they are playing.”