Riveiro lauds Dlamini's stealthy brilliance

ORLANDO Pirates coach José Riveiro showered praise on the often-overlooked Kabelo Dlamini, recognising the midfielder's significant yet understated contributions to the team's performance.

- HERMAN GIBBS

On Sunday Kabelo Dlamini made a rare appearance in Pirates' run-on XI against Marumo Gallants and scored the eventual matchwinner midway through the opening stanza of the Nedbank Cup semi-final.

It was surprising when Orlando Pirates coach José Riveiro substituted Kabelo Dlamini midway through the first half as he was the lone player to score a goal up to that stage of the match. Little did the fans know that Dlamini wasn't fully fit because he was recovering from a fever which had kept him on the sidelines for the past few days. For a player who has been hampered by injury and sporadic appearances, Dlamini's determination shone through, proving that he remains an invaluable asset for the squad as they chase their cup ambitions.