Choose wisely you starting XI

Champion Coaches in this year’s Carling Black Label Champion Cup have a wealth of top talent to choose from when selecting their starting line-up for Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates ahead of the 29 July showpiece clash at the FNB Stadium.

Aside from selecting the players they believe can help their team in lifting the trophy, they must also select the right formation to bring success.  A man who knows the quality of both clubs well, and who understands the difficulty in selecting the right startling line-up, is Coach Kosta Papic, who has the rare distinction of having led both teams.

Papic was in charge of Orlando Pirates between 2004 and 2006.  He is still much-loved for the attacking verve he brought to the side as The Buccaneers played some enterprising football during his tenure.

The man nicknamed ‘Bill Clinton’ for his likeness to the former American president, later had a spell at Kaizer Chiefs in 2007, again bringing his attacking style of play to Naturena.  Papic has a keen eye for talent and in particular attacking players.        

Looking at the current Orlando Pirates stars, Papic looks to some of the older guard as the players to watch, believing their experience and Big Match Temperament is what is needed in the heat of battle in a Soweto Derby.

“I like Thabo Matlaba, what he brings to the team from fullback, being able to join the attack and bring a real threat. He is a very good defender, but also a player who can make and score goals.  Mpho Makola is another

player that I like very much. He can run the midfield, but also shown in the past that he can score some fantastic goals. Technically he is very good.

“Oupa Manyisa is another, a truly fantastic player. He is the captain also and you need strong leaders in the big games.”

The Serbian coach also picks out some players who he feels can make a difference in the Chiefs squad come match day.

“A player I like a lot for his great attacking qualities, either as a winger or more in the middle behind the strikers is Joseph Malongoane, He can adapt to different game situations and has good quality on the ball.” Papic says.

“It is the same with William Twala, another very skillful player who gives goals and assists. With these two on the pitch there is a lot of creativity in the midfield, and both of them have goals in their game.”

Chiefs’ veteran Siphiwe Tshabalala has seen a resurgence in his career this past campaign.  I would actually go so far as to say that despite all his success, we maybe have not seen the best of what he can produce.”

Fans of Pirates and Chiefs must decide if these players will fit into the formation they want their team to play in the Carling Black Label Champions Cup this year.

Potential Consumers Coaches who are over the age of 18 can stand a chance of winning the same Carling Black Label Champion Cup match day experience where two lucky fans will join their favourite team in training, sit in the pre-match briefing and be part of the technical set-up on match day.

They can do so by purchasing a Carling Black Label beer and dialing *120*660*. They then enter their unique underliner code and then#.  Entry is FREE on USSD or they can go to www.carlingblacklabel.co.za.

In the history of the campaign, Orlando Pirates have lifted the trophy four times whilst Kaizer Chiefs have won twice.