Pirates’ Mlambo relishing midfield battle with SuperSport

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Sep 15, 2018. 12:00

Orlando Pirates’ Xola Mlambo says he is looking forward to a tough battle in midfield tonight when his side host SuperSport United for an Absa Premiership clash.

Mlambo has established himself as one of the best up-and-coming midfielders in the country in recent seasons.

However, he will have his mettle tested by a United engine-room which can call on the vast experience of Reneilwe ‘Yeye’ Letsholonyane and current Bafana Bafana regular Dean Furman.

“It’s going to be a tough battle, because 'Yeye' is experienced. He played on an international level, played for Kaizer Chiefs and won trophies there and he is still playing well right now,” Mlambo told Kick-Off.

“There’s Dean Furman, who played abroad and he is the captain of the team and he plays for Bafana Bafana.

“You look at [Teboho] Mokoena, a young and upcoming player and he is also an international player. So it’s not going to be easy.”

However, Mlambo believes the Buccaneers can hold their own in the middle of the park.

“We also have a quality team and I feel we strongly have a chance. We have Ben Motshwari who has been doing quite well.

“There’s Linda Mntambo who is fantastic, we’ve got Meshack Maphangule who is one of the most underrated players.

“There’s the young [Augustine] Mahlonoko, we’ve got Musa [Nyatama] and 'Bibo' [Mpho Makola]. It’s going to be a nice interesting challenge in the middle of the park.”