Why Pirates players are getting sent off

Former Orlando Pirates captain and assistant coach Benson Mhlongo shares what he thinks is the reason the club's players are continuously getting sent off during matches.

In last weekend's Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs, defender Mthokozisi Dube had to take an early shower after he was booked for a second time.

The bad luck continued to haunt the Ghost in midweek when captain Happy Jele also saw red against Maritzburg United

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Surprisingly, 'Mayanga' sees the bright side in all of that.

"No it shows commitment, and also that they give their all," Mhlongo tells KickOff.com.

"Because if you can check the red cards, they are not for swearing. It's all about defending and trying not to concede. They can see they are under pressure, so they are trying their best not to concede.

"Unlike getting a red card for swearing, or for fighting with a ref, no. This one is for stopping a player from going forward, and not a dangerous tackle you know. They are just trying to win the game. You can see they are under pressure.

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"Other players they just let the opposition go and score, but this one you can see that they want to win for real."

Jele, who played a crucial role in last weekend's Telkom Knockout loss to Amakhosi, will miss today's league match against the same opponents.

But Mhlongo believes Bucs have more than enough depth in their squad to cover for his absence.

"Ja in terms of organisation he played a very big part. But now it also gives an opportunity to the likes of [Ntsikelelo] Nyauza and [Justice] Chabalala if they can play him. To show if he can take over if Happy is not around or do they need to beef up and get someone else.

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"Happy Jele has grown. When he started he had a lot of fouls in him but now he has grown. He is very important because he can calm the nerves down, and his form is almost excellent you know. He is important in terms of controlling the tempo, [his absence] is going to affect [the team].

"Maybe we'll see Musa [Nyatama], they really need someone who can control the tempo. But they will play. Maybe we will see Justice [Chabalala]. Sometimes other things happen for a reason, there are defenders who never played. Maybe it's time for them to get a chance."

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