Who will be the goalkeeper for pirates on MTN8 final? Ncikazi responds

Who the goalkeeper is for Orlando Pirates’ MTN8 final match against AmaZulu on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium is still unknown.

Siyabonga Mpontshane has started in goal for the last three games instead of Richard Ofori, who suffered an injury last month against Usuthu during a league game.

Mpontshane kept two clean sheets when Pirates beat Golden Arrows 2-0 in the league and then crushed Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 in the second leg semi-final of the Wafa Wafa Cup two weeks ago to book Bucs spot in the final.

However, in the Soweto Derby last weekend Mpontshane embarrassed Pirates supporters when he was defeated by Yusuf Maart from his own halfway line. This happened when the former Sekhukhune United captain spotted the Pirates goalkeeper off his line. That painfully determined the Derby’s fate, with Chiefs claiming bragging rights for the fourth consecutive time.

Who will be in the goal in the winner-takes-all game on Saturday, how Mpontshane erred in beating the Chiefs from their half, and whether Ofori will be ready for the game of such importance are all things that the press and fans are talking about.

When asked about who will be put in the goal for the Pirates, assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi responded with a funny comment, much like his boss Jose Riveiro, who also chose to withhold this information from the media in the middle of the week.

Ncikazi replied, “The goalkeeping department, I wanted to skip this question.

According to the number of training sessions we’ve had and the quality of goalkeepers the club possesses, we’ll put the best one in.

“The goalie who will start for the Pirates will undoubtedly fill Pirates fans with pride,”

Ofori was in the starting lineup as Pirates defeated Bloemfontein Celtic to win the MTN8 in the 2020–21 season, which took place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

In the 2013–14 season, Mpontshane also won this trophy after defeating Pirates in penalty shootouts while competing with Platinum Stars in Durban.

Also read: Changes for Pirates ahead of MTN8