Why was Saleng replaced with raw Nkota in Orlando Pirates' shocking loss against Magesi? Riveiro justifies change

Orlando Pirates hosted Magesi in the Carling Knockout's Round of 16 game at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

The Premier Soccer League's newbies caused a major shock after defying the odds to claim a 3-2 win and seal their quarter-final ticket.

Magesi scored all their goals in the first half and the big second half was coming with the hosts hoping to get the needed goals and advance.

To many people's surprise, Monnapule Saleng was subbed and youngster Mohau Nkota was introduced. Saleng has been doing well for the Buccaneers this season; in the initial five games, he has five goals and an assist across all competitions.

Why did coach Jose Riveiro sub his senior player for a 19-year-old who is trying to make his mark at the club?

“I think Mohau came in a difficult moment, in a moment of responsibility and he answered in the right way, if we decided to go with Mohau in the second half it’s because we know him very well, we know that moment he’s going through," the Spaniard told the media

"“He’s in a very good space, he’s pushing hard to get minutes and compete for getting minutes in a team like ours. I think he generated problems immediately for the opponent, with one shot on target inside the first three, or four minutes on the field.

“He’s a tricky player to defend, even today where Magesi was… reducing the spaces close to the box, defending very very low. But yeah, Mohau is a player who’s growing fast, he’s one of the players really competing to be on the field," Riveiro continued.

“That’s why, in this case, the coach decides to give him the responsibility in the moment, that was not the nicest one to come in, but I think he answered in a good way, the same way he did it when he came on against Richards Bay in Durban."

Nkota's agemate Relebohile Mofokeng was given his chance by Riveiro in the late 2022-23 season and has since been one of the key players at the club.

The Spaniard surely hopes Nkota can emulate Mofokeng and deliver for the club whenever he has been given a chance.