Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro says midfielder Makhehleni Makhaula has to work hard for his spot in his starting XI like anybody else.
Makhaula, 34, has struggled for game-time this season, making just seven appearances in all competitions.
But the midfielder has started Bucs three games since the return of domestic football and also featured in Pirates 1-0 win over Polokwane City this past weekend, which saw the Buccaneers close the gap to third and second place on the log.
Riveiro, who often likes to keep his cards close to his chest, didn’t want to go much into detail why the former AmaZulu midfielder has finally broken into his line-up.
“After the break we started playing with Makhaula in one of the two positions that we have in the central midfield and yes you are right it’s a third game in a row [starting],” said the Spanish mentor.
“Nobody earns their place here, like I cannot say that. I always say this, and I will repeat myself but it’s the truth, we have 36 players in the squad.
“All of them have quality that’s why they came to the club. All of them are working well but then we have to play 11 in each and game, take 20 to the list and it’s not easy.
“So everybody must keep pushing and not play for themselves but play for the club, make sure that after the last match of the season we can continue improving the history of this club.”
Pirates are back in action on Wednesday, when they will host bottom-placed Cape Town Spurs at Orlando Stadium.
