The Buccaneers have been one of the teams that were struggling to convert their chances at the beginning of the season. In their first fifteen league matches the Sea Robbers only managed to score only ten goals.
Apart from the latest signing of a Cameroonian striker Souaibou Marou Pirates already have six centre-forwards in their squad who have experience of PSL football. But, most of the goals and assists for Orlando Pirates have been coming from midfielder Monnapule Saleng who became a regular in the team during the MTN8 semi-final first leg against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Even though the club has been struggling to score goals, two months ago the Spanish tactician Jose Riveiro said it’s not the striker’s responsibility only to score goals but the rest of the players.
“We asked different things from them [Pirates players], so my obligation is to evaluate the strikers. The responsibility to score goals is for the rest of the players but not obviously for the keeper. But there’s many positive things we speak about the individuals upfront and hopefully we can get something,” said Riveiro after the 4-0 loss in Carling Black Label Cup.
However, three weeks ago, Orlando Pirates added a striker coach Scott Chickelday into their technical team. Chickelday has previously worked at the academies of Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers.
Since the announcement of the England born coach was made on the 5th of January the Buccaneers have played four matches and managed to score ten goals. Furthermore, strikers Kermit Erasmus and Terrence Dzvukamanja have been on the scoresheet since Chickelday joined Pirates.
Chickelday’s contributions at Pirates have placed the club in a better position as they hope to play continental football next season. After 2-0 victory Marumo Gallants against it was the first time Pirates won three consecutive matches since August 2020 bio bubble.
The Soweto giants are facing Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday afternoon at Orlando stadium.
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