Derby ideal for Wome to warm Pirates’ hearts
JOHANNESBURG: Reacting to their awful slump at the halfway point of the season, Orlando Pirates quickly moved for striker Dove Wome during the January transfer window and his two goals in two matches have begged the question: Can the Togolese international lead the Buccaneers’ revival ahead of Saturday’s Soweto derby?
Wome is an obvious pick for key players when Pirates face rivals Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium having made the kind of immediate impact expected from a mid-season recruit, after he was brought in on loan from SuperSport United.
Teboho Moloi, a man who knows all too well the weight of the Pirates jersey having played and served as an assistant at the club, believes Wome can easily be a player new coach Kjell Jonevret can rely on for goals.
“I think he’s a breath of fresh air and I am quite surprised that Pirates were able to bring him in, because in the past Wome has never been a player any team could let go,” Moloi explained.
“You will recall that SuperSport also first got him on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns before they signed him permanently. He is a quality player and a strong character who can lead the attack. He is known for scoring.”
Wome’s move to Pirates was driven by a lack of game time under Stuart Baxter at Matsatsantsa, with the time spent on the sidelines costing him his place in Togo’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations squad.
He made his debut in the 2-1 defeat to Wits two weeks ago before scoring in the 2-2 draw away to Cape Town City and again in the 1-1 stalemate at home to Polokwane City in Jonevret’s first match in charge, four days ago.
“What he lacks is the killer instinct,” Moloi critiqued. “I think somehow he becomes content once he has scored one goal. But that is not enough, especially when you have arrived at a time when the club is struggling. Maybe if things were going according to plan when they signed him it would be okay, but a player like Wome is brought in to get the goals as well as the assists.”
Moloi thinks the Soweto derby is an ideal match for the 25-year-old to endear himself to the Pirates faithful.
“I don’t want to put pressure on him, but to have scored two goals in his previous two matches suggests he can lead the revival. And if he gets another one against Chiefs then the fans will be confident he can help, regardless of whether Pirates win or lose on the day,” the former Bucs midfielder said.
“Wome should be unapologetic about his hunger to score more goals. If he works on having that arrogance about him then he will do well at Pirates. I would urge him to come out of his shell a little bit.”
The player is, after all, on trial at the club to a certain degree given the terms of his loan spell, which states that should he “perform” then the Buccaneers will exercise an option to extend his stay for a few more years.