As the debate over leadership in the Betway Premiership heats up, former
Orlando Pirates defender Edward “Magents” Motale has named Nkosinathi Sibisi
as the most impressive captain of the season so far.
Several notable figures, including goalkeepers Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi
Sundowns) and Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs), alongside Pirates defenders
Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Sibisi, have led their teams this campaign. However,
in an exclusive interview with PSLSA, the CAF Champions League-winning
legend singled out the Pirates centre-back for his consistent influence.
“Want me to be honest, I’ve never monitored [the] majority of captains,”
Motale began. “But if we compare from the three teams, Orlando Pirates,
Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, I’ll say Nkosinathi (Sibisi) because he
has been consistent, you understand.”
While acknowledging the quality of Sundowns’ Ronwen Williams, Motale pointed
to rare errors as a deciding factor. “Ronwen is second best, but because he
has been costing the team himself as a leader. That’s why he is losing
points. Because him as a leader and captain himself, has been costing the
team with a few draws and a few losses… you need to lead. But due to these
mistakes I give it to Sibisi.”
On fellow Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who has deputised as captain,
Motale reserved judgement due to a smaller sample size. “With Mbokazi I
haven’t seen much. I won’t lie… So to be honest I cannot say he is the best
leader or he is not, you understand? But with the few games which I watched
under his leadership he did great. He tried his best. But for now we are
giving it to Sibisi.”
Motale’s analysis places consistency and error-free leadership above all,
crowning Sibisi as the current benchmark for captaincy in the Premiership.
