Jose Riveiro opens up on Evidence Makgopa beating Tshegofatso Mabasa to become Orlando Pirates' new first-choice striker

Orlando Pirates forward Evidence Makgopa has scored three Premier Soccer League goals in as many matches this season.

It is a season he has been competing for a starting spot against Tshegofatso Mabasa, Zakhele Lepasa, Gilberto and Boitumelo Radiopane.

The Soweto giants' coach Jose Riveiro comments about Makgopa's form and describes the striker as "an example for everybody."

"He [Makgopa] has always been there but he's competing with Mabasa, he's competing with [Boitumelo] Radiopane in the position," Riveiro said in a post-match conference.

"He's a boy that's working so hard ... always ready to help. When he gets one minute, he gives you everything in one minute and he also does the same when he gets 10 minutes.

"He's an example for everybody because we are talking about a player who performed in an excellent way at a tournament like Afcon," he added.

"Now that he's going through a different period, most of the time on the bench, he's being an example for everybody around of what it means to be a professional and that's why he managed to perform tonight at the level that he did because he's working hard. He's a very generous football player and we are so happy to have him." 

Makgopa's form could see him return to the Bafana Bafana fold under coach Hugo Broos who is an admirer of the player.

He last played for the national team at the 2023 Afcon finals in Ivory Coast and has fallen behind the likes of Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners.

Pirates are now preparing to host AmaZulu in a league match on Saturday.

It is a match Makgopa is likely to start and an opportunity to increase his season league tally.