19 August 2019, by: Thabang Kgeledi

MTN8 TALKING POINTS – QUARTERFINALS

I am not a believer of Supersport United but I am a believer of young Sipho Mbule. The Supersport United academy is known for finding and nurturing young talent. In Sipho Mbule, they have produced a fine player. He is a central midfielder with a range of passing, composure on the ball, and intelligence. He is excellent over a deadball and is also a hard worker.

Mbule made a substitute appearance in their first game against Mamelodi Sundowns. He made enough of an impact for coach Tembo to start him against Orlando Pirates in which he made a difference and yesterday against Wits, he was the difference. Supersport have found a gem.

Cape Town City isn’t playing as well as we know they are capable of playing. Could Benni McCarthy’s rumoured interest in the Bafana job be messing with the team’s spirit? Or are they simply finding their feet in a new season?

MTN8 defending champions were bundled of this season’s competition at the hands of Polokwane City. We (we being me) always overreact when a team is knocked out of a cup competition. If it was a loss in the third game of the season would it be as big of a deal? Probably not. Cape Town City, however, do have problems they need to solve. Their finishing is bad.

Polokwane City pretty much parked the bus (more like a Hyundai H1) and played on the counter. Not much of game plan but it worked. If I were a Cape Town City supporter I wouldn’t be overly concerned, well, not yet anyway.

I plead with Cape Town City supporters not to be nervous but I cannot give those same soothing words of encouragement to Orlando Pirates. Orlando Pirates went down 1-0 to Highlands Parks on Saturday evening. It was an exciting end to end game. The Lions of the North gave as much as they were given and deserved to win the game.

Pirates are now on a 3 game losing streak in all competitions, their coach resigned last Friday, and their best player Thembinkosi Lorch doesn’t look healthy.

The team isn’t playing with the same fluidity it played with last season. But! Let’s not forget Orlando Pirates lost three of their first four games last season so they may be going through their early-season jitters.

Rulani Mokena has taken over as their head coach. He hasn’t coached at the level yet. Orlando Pirates supporters think he was the mastermind behind Orlando Pirates resurgence in the past 3 years. Now we will see if this is the case.

With their closest rivals, Cape Town City and Orlando Pirates having bad starts to their respective campaigns. This may be the first time we see a local club win all the trophies. Okay, this is unlikely… They are just too many games to play but, if any team could do it, I’d bet my couch loose change that Sundowns could. I don’t see anybody beating them right now.

Sundowns breezed past Bloemfontein Celtic 3-1 after going a goal down in the second half. Pitso has a strong team. Each player knows their role and they play it well. Whilst Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City stockpile talent and mess with their chemistry, in the past couple of years, Sundowns have had quiet transfer markets. They are simply plugging gaps that need to be filled.

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