Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou's trust in Tapelo Xoki will be tested in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final first-leg against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
The much talked-about key exclusions by Ouaddou from Pirates' regular team under his predecessor Jose Riveiro includes Xoki, who is yet to play a single minute.
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The former AmaZulu FC captain was an unused substitute against Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarterfinals and against Marumo Gallants in the league, with youngster and new signing Lebone Seema replacing the injured Nkosinathi Sibisi in the heart of defence.
After back-to-back defeats, the Moroccan-Frenchman will need senior players to carry the pressure, especially facing a team of the quality of Sundowns.
Should he recall Xoki, Ouaddou will have to make a decision on who will captain the team, as the 30-year-old was selected as vice captain, alongside youngster Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who had skipper duties against Gallants.
Mbokazi could have his work cut out if given the armband responsibility at Orlando, where the character of the players will be tested.
"I don't know the relationship or the friendship between him (Sibisi) and the coach because to be a good captain, you must be a friend with the coach. Because there is where as a captain you must be a coach in the field," Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi said on TimesLIVE Video YouTube Channel.
"The coach must allow you. I remember around 2010 (under Augusto Palacios), we used to score last-minute goals. Supporters were saying, 'This coach...', but it was not coming from the coach.
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"I remember at times telling the likes of Happy (Jele), Rooi (Mahamutsa) to go forward, but he (Palacios) fought with me. But I was like, 'Let's go, gents! I'll take the responsibility!' We went there and scored, the same coach was celebrating. Captaining a team like Pirates is not easy," he explained further.
The leadership aspect on the pitch against The Brazilians will be crucial for the Soweto giants, with the morale low after two straight defeats against Sekhukhune United and Gallants.
Photo by Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images
