Team selection a big factor ahead of Pirates title decider vs Orbit?

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou's final team selection will be highly scrutinised, as former midfielder Mpho Makola suggested a change in midfield.

Ouaddou has been in favour of Yanela Mbuthuma over the more experienced and Bafana regular Evidence Makgopa in recent months and with the Buccaneers having the opportunity to win the league title against Durban City last weekend, the Moroccan coach stuck to his guns.

However, the most surprising selection was Simphiwe Selepe, making his first appearance of the season, from the off, partnering Thalete Mbatha in midfield.

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The Soweto giants appeared to rush their game and did not create a lot of clear-cut chances, as they were held to a goalless draw.

According to Makola, playing Makhehlene Makhaula in midfield instead of the young Selepe could have made the difference.

"There are a lot of factors that we as supporters don't know, in terms of team selection, there could have been an injury, maybe a (failed) late fitness test to the regulars," Makola said on NXL360 YouTube Channel.

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"For the longest time in the league the coach has been consistent with his line-up, hence Pirates are where they are at the moment. We don't know, for someone who has the information for him to decide to play the other striker (Mbuthuma) instead of Makgopa, because the past three games he started Makgopa and we've been getting results.

"But the change of personnel in midfield, which I think Selepe did not have a bad game, I think whatever task he was given he passed with flying colors, maybe the more experienced (Makhehlene) Makhaula could have helped the team, because sometimes when you have an experienced player on the field, just his presence alone, can play a huge role in deciding the game," Makola said.

Ouaddou would need to get his line-up spot on in the final matchday against Orbit College on Saturday, where Pirates need maximum points to win their first title in 14 years.