Kermit Erasmus and six other stars at Orlando Pirates will be looking to bounce back to prove their worth in the remaining matches of the season.
Having joined the Buccaneers last September in a big move from Mamelodi Sundowns, Erasmus had hoped for regular game-time to make up for lost time after he didn’t play much at the Brazilians.
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However, the experienced striker has appeared to have taken longer than expected to hit the ground running on his second spell with the Soweto giants and has been in an out of coach Jose Riveiro’s starting line-ups lately.
The 32-year-old was surprisingly an unused substitute against Kaizer Chiefs last weekend, while he had come on as a substitute deep in the second half in the previous match against Maritzburg United.
The Gqeberha-born player has made 13 appearances in all competitions and has scored two goals plus three assists.
With Pirates set to play against Swallows FC in their next match in the original Soweto Derby this evening, several other players from Ezimnyama will be hoping to get a run and in the coming matches to prove their worth in the team.
Ndumiso Mabena
The veteran striker was one of the January transfer window signings for the Buccaneers, and like Erasmus, the 35-year-old is on his second spell with the club.
The former Royal AM man has made only one appearance so far when he came on as a second half substitute against Sundowns last month.
Craig Martin
Martin was another January signing for Bucs and just like Mabena, the Capetonian has had a slow start under Riveiro.
The 29-year-old versatile player, who was one of the top performers for Cape Town City, has made five appearances so far and all as a substitute.
He has been out of the matchday squad in the last two matches against the Team of Choice and Amakhosi.
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Richard Ofori
The Ghanaian international has been derailed by injury on his progress at Bucs, and while he has since recovered and back in training, the 29-year-old has found Sipho Chaine having taken over between the sticks and doing well.
Ofori has featured in 13 matches in all competitions and is nearing the end of his contract.
Evidence Makgopa
Makgopa was signed as a Bafana Bafana striker from Baroka FC, and while he was delayed by injury on his start at the Buccaneers, the 22-year-old has appeared to have found the going tough in getting game time.
He has made just two substitute appearances all season.
Goodman Mosele
11 appearances in Pirates’ DStv Premiership campaign is all that the former PSL Young Player of the Year has to show for the season thus far and some might argue that is not enough for the player of his quality.
Mosele hasn’t featured in Bucs’ last three matches due to injury.
Bienvenu Eva Nga
The 30-year-old Cameroonian has featured only once for five minutes in the last 11 matches for Bucs and so far he has failed to justify why he was signed from Chippa United at the end of last season.
Eva Nga has scored one goal from 12 appearances in all competitions.
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