Ramagalela urges Orlando Pirates to get the best from Mbuthuma in MTN8 final

Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Rodney Ramagalela believes Orlando Pirates forward Yanela Mbuthuma could have a decisive role to play when the Buccaneers meet their rivals in Saturday’s MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Both teams will be aiming to finish the competition with silverware, in a repeat of the 2023 Wafa Wafa final. Orlando Pirates won that match against Masandawana under former coach Jose Riveiro to lift the trophy.

Ramagalela says Pirates must make better decisions in the final third if they are to maximise Mbuthuma’s threat in attack. He would also like to see the forward rewarded with a goal after making an impact through his movement and involvement in creating chances.

“I’d love to see them making the right choices in the final third for them to be able to get a goal,” said Ramagalela.

“I’d love to see Mbuthuma, with all the moves he’s been making and the creation of the goals, getting a goal himself.”

Ramagalela believes scoring in the final would underline Mbuthuma’s development as a striker and further justify the faith shown in him by coach Pitso.

“I think that will make him a complete striker that he’s been now, that we’ve seen being selected by coach Pitso,” he said.

The former Sundowns player also suggested that the decision to select Mbuthuma indicates that the coach sees qualities that may not always be recognised by supporters.

“For me, if you’re selected by Pitso, that means you have something that he’s seeing that supporters can’t see. That’s why they always boo him,” Ramagalela said.

Despite that criticism, Ramagalela remains convinced that Mbuthuma possesses the ability to make a difference for Orlando Pirates.

“But the boy has something special and I would love to see him getting goals.”