Derby Player Ratings
Derby Player Ratings
Posted: 2009-07-23 23:22
KICK OFF rates the players’ performances in the Vodacom Challenge Soweto Derby on Thursday night.
ORLANDO PIRATES
*8 Moeneeb Josephs – A confident display, including good saves from Musona’s drive and Masango’s curler. Solid throughout.
7 Rooi Mahamutsa – Sure in the tackle and confident in his passing. Growing in maturity all the time.
5 Lehlohonolo Seema – Struggles a bit in the first half as Chiefs put pressure on Bucs’ defence line.
6 Lucas Thwala – Makes some solid tackles with careful timing.
5 Innocent Mdledle – After his struggles with injury it is always going to be tough for him and he looks off the pace.
7 Dikgang Mabalane – Busy throughout, testing Chiefs’ defence as much as he can.
4 Blaise Kiaku – An over-the-top tackle followed by a bone cruncher that sends Letsholonyane off on a stretcher sums up an awful night for the Congolese.
7 Josephy Kamwendo – Started slowly, but after his well-taken goal is more influential.
6 Phenyo Mongala – Lively when on the ball, but not overly influential.
6 Katlego Mashego – Having just returned from holiday, he understandably looks very rusty. But his pass does create the goal.
5 Ndumiso Mabena – Doesn’t strike up a combination with Mashego, but he is new and still finding his feet.
6 Lucky Lekgwathi – Replaces Mdledle at half-time and is committed and full of running.
6 Siphelele Mthembu – Comes on for Mabena at the break and fights hard, but no clear opportunities.
6 Teko Modise – Comes on for Mongala and gets involved, but not a huge impact made.
5 Oupa Manyisa – Picks up from where Kamwendo left off, but does not have the same impact.
Bennett Chenene – More lively than the man he replaces, Mashego
Benson Mhlongo – On for Kiaku too late for a rating.
KAIZER CHIEFS
7 Itumeleng Khune – Confident as usual, but shows an improvement in catching crosses and delays his distribution at times when needed.
6 Tlou Molekwane – A decent showing by the young fullback.
5 Thomas Sweswe – Stable, but not totally at ease with the Pirates attack. Bucs’ goal carves open the centreback pairing.
6 Jeffrey Ntuka – Very strong in the tackle and committed throughout.
7 Punch Masenamela – Looking more and more composed as his career grows.
*8 Mandla Masango – Great touches, intelligent passes and runs and some good attempts at goal.
7 Tinashe Nengomasha – Dominates in the fight for possession battle and gets his team going on the attack.
5 David Mathebula – Not his best performance, but is helped by Nengomasha behind him and the wide midfielders.
6 Abia Nale – Sets up Dladla’s opener after nine minutes and is very lively, but at times a bit slow to release the ball.
7 Josta Dladla – Good performance by a man who looks free to enjoy his game on he night. Takes his goal well.
5 Knowledge Musona – Barring one decent attempt at goal and a few good runs, he shows he needs more time to settle.
Reneilwe Letsholonyane – On for Mathebula at the break, but a shocking tackle from Kiaku ends his night. No rating.
5 Gerald Sibeko – Comes on for Letsholonyane, but is wasteful with his passes and a bit off the pace of the game.
6 Jose Torrealba – Can’t link up effectively with Nale and Dladla who form some deadly combinations, but does his best to bring them into the game.
6 Thabang Rooi – Replaces Sweswe and does a decent job.
Arthur Zwane – On for Masango with just two minutes left. No rating.
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