19-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been the answer to Orlando Pirates’ defensive struggles with regular starters Olisa Ndah and Thabiso Sesane currently unavailable due to injuries.
The Buccaneers were exposed at the back and suffered a 2-0 loss to Marumo Gallants this past Saturday. Gallants forwards ran riot on Tapelo Xoki and Nkosinathi Sibisi, forcing Riveiro to test the waters by partnering experienced Sibisi with 19-year-old Mbokazi.
The pairing provided stability to the backline and managed to keep the Chilli Boys attackers Ayabulela Konqobe and Sinoxolo Kwayiba at bay, helping Melusi Buthelezi keep a clean sheet.
Pirates have conceded nine goals and were unable to keep a clean sheet in their past five matches across all competitions.
The addition of Siyabonga Ndlozi at the right-back position gave Sibisi the freedom to move forward and add numbers to the box during set pieces which paid off as he headed in the only goal that gave Pirates the crucial three points.
During his Man of the Match acceptance speech, Sibisi gave credit to the starlets Mbokazi and Ndlozi for their hard work. He praised Riveiro for shaping the youngsters and making them ready for the big stage.
“A good team effort, it wasn’t easy coming here, we had to bounce back from the game against Marumo [Gallants] and I’m glad I got on the score sheet and was able to help the team.
“We’ve been working very hard at the training field and we’re glad it’s finally paying off. We need to help our forward players, if they can’t get something in the game, we have to come in with set pieces [and score].
“I am very happy for them, I think our coach gives the boys confidence as you can see the results are there for everyone to see, Ndlozi came in on the right, superb! Mbokazi, exceptional. Mohau [Nkota] has been helping after the whole season, Rele [Mofokeng], no need to talk about him but it’s a team effort we’ll take the three points and go home,” he concluded.
The 1-1 draw between Mamelodi Sundowns and Lamontville Golden Arrows reduced the gap to 16 points, keeping the Sea Robbers’ title hopes alive with four games in hand.
Riveiro remains optimistic that they can still catch up to Sundowns but cautioned that having games in hand does not guarantee that they will bag the points.
“It’s still a long way to go (with the league being decided) it’s difficult to know where you are when you have three to four games in hand,” he said during the post-match presser.
“You must be optimistic and think you will collect all the points and then the gap is going to be different. So, we don’t know the only thing we can do is to focus on the next game.
“That is what we are trying to do in the best of our capacity to say that every game (we play) is an opportunity to dream to something big,” Riveiro concluded.
Their next league match will be against Stellenbosch FC on 11 March.