Pirates coach explains selection criteria

Orlando Pirates coach Rhulani Mokoena says form and hard work at training are the criteria for team selection after the Buccaneers made six changes at the weekend.

“Our criteria for selecting players are form and meritocracy.

“It is what we see at training that decides who plays. That’s how it is at Pirates,” he said.

“We take it one game at a time, be it a cup or league match, and we try to put the best team on the pitch for that match.”

Mokoena fielded an almost new look side last weekend as Pirates edged past Stellenbosch FC in the Telkom Knockout.

It came after a three hiatus for the Buccaneers and saw Wayne Sandilands return to goal, Ntsikelelo Nyauza in defence, Paseko Maka picked at left back and Thabo Monyane on the right, Linda Mntambo introduced for the first time this season as the holding midfielder and Augustine Mulenga back up front alongside Tshegofatso Mabasa.

The number of changes raised eyebrows with suggestions Mokoena might have been panicked into them by the previous two results for this team (3-4 against Bidvest Wits) and 3-3 against Cape Town City).

Pirates’ new look side set up numerous chances but only got a late winner as they beat Stellenbosch 1-0.

They meet them again in the Absa Premiership this weekend at the Cape Town Stadium.