BUCS AGAINST THE WALL AHEAD OF DERBY

I’m not sure if I must cry or laugh regarding Pirates’ recent performances. It’s no longer raining but pouring down heavily for my beloved team. They were heading for this disaster with their recent results because if you fail to win games that you dominate, then you will experience these kinds of results. Spurs redeemed themselves at our expense and Bucs’ confidence was very low when they faced another team in the basement, Richards Bay. I’m still not sure why our coach is chopping and changing his selection. Yes, game plans are different, but against Spurs he should have gone for the kill. The combination of Makgopa and Erasmus is not working for us. This thing of rushing for goal is not helping and needs serious attention. The two goals scored by Spurs were our mistakes. Even though football is a game of mistakes, it is a mistake we could have avoided. Xoki is costing us sometimes. Our position on the log is not satisfactory and we’re struggling to move away from the basement. Riveiro is running out of ideas and he is losing his command in the dressing room, which will lead to disaster. I don’t have a problem with being knocked out of the Carling Knockout, my big worry is our position on the log. Coach, we need an immediate action plan to move away from the bottom of the standings. Let us be calm and support the team because it is normal for a team to experience a rough patch. Madimetja Vic Mashamaite, Renstown

Pirates’ woes continued at the weekend as they were bundled out of the Carling Knockout by Richards Bay. We’ve gone five games now without a victory, which is a great cause for concern. I blame the coach. He keeps fielding the same players who are not delivering while he has a huge squad beaming with talent at his disposal. His favouritism will soon cost him his job. I thought we’d be challenging for the league this season, but at this rate, we’re doomed. Bongani Mgubela, Diepkloof

To Riveiro, what’s so special about Maswanganyi that you always pick him ahead of players like Pule, Otladisa and others who are better than him? It’s as if the player is imposed on the coach. As much as Saleng has been benched because of being off-form, Maswanganyi should also be benched. I’m of the opinion that there is a lot of favouritism and management interference in team selection. Players like Eva Nga and Marou are not given a chance because they are not favourites of a certain individual. To the Chairman, please go and talk to the players and make them aware that they are playing for a big brand. I don’t see Pirates finishing in the Top Eight with the way they are playing and approaching games. Cup competitions are short-term, but the league is long-term and a priority. Mosa “Blackberry One” Mothobi, via email

As the saying goes, it happens gradually, then suddenly. The decline in performance of Pirates is starting to become a serious cause for concern, whether in the league or in cup competitions, and that is sad to witness. I watched the Richards Bay game and I cannot remember two clear chances that were created. Only the Hotto shot that hit the crossbar springs to mind and that demonstrates the seriousness of the problem we are having as the Sea Robbers. I think players must pull up their socks and deliver when it matters the most. Anyway, the struggle continues and let’s hope our technical team will sort out their issues as the Soweto Derby looms large. We must take three points. We don’t negotiate with Kaizer Chiefs, we just take three points. Once a Pirate, always a Pirate! Thapelo Masiapata, Ramaroka village, Bolobedu

Riveiro’s luck has run out. Is he a

coach or just someone on a fishing expedition? When is he going to get it that some players are not good for Pirates? How can he leave out Lepasa and play Makgopa? What has the latter done for Bucs? Riveiro is now playing route one football because he’s trying to accommodate Makgopa. Timm is good, but he slows down Pirates’ attacks because he regularly passes backwards or sideways. A mobile midfielder is needed so that the acceleration can be quicker. Monare and Ndlondlo must play together because both can attack and defend with speed. The coach’s obvious dislike for Pule is no longer tolerable. Pule is way too effective than Maswanganyi who somehow owns a place in the team. He’s always starting games but doesn’t deliver much. And on a different note, oh, didn’t I laugh my lungs out! Doctor, how can you forget how the path to France 1998 was navigated? The fact is that qualification was not sealed when Bafana Bafana beat Zaire 2-1. Bafana had to win their final game against Congo to qualify for France. Now you make us wonder if indeed Dr. Irvin Khoza did say words to you because your story about when Bafana Bafana qualified is a lie and everybody else knows it.

Morongwa Zwee Mokgohloa, Ga-Mokgohloa

Ed—These were Doc’s words in his column last week: “We went out there and gave 100% effort, creating and scoring to beat them 2-1. We came here, I created the solitary goal scored by my late friend, Philemon Masinga, and the rest is history.” These are two games he was referring to, first the Zaire one, and to be fair to him, he did not mention who the second one was against as it has been so well-documented since that glorious afternoon of 16 August 1997 where Doc’s interception and beautiful assist led to that wonder strike by Masinga to take us to our first World Cup. While we encourage freedom of expression on these pages, we ask our readers to at all times play the ball, not the man.

I think it is about time Pirates appoint another coach. The current coach is not capable of coaching a team of the Buccaneers’ calibre. In my opinion, he is too weak and not fit to coach the team. He might have won a few cups, but he doesn’t know what he is doing. The team does not have consistency and his team selection is very poor. I hope that Dr. Khoza can read this letter and make a proper decision.

Frans Koos Shika, Moletjie Garankhuwe

As a Pirates supporter, I am very worried with these current players and coach. It seems to me that the coach does not know what to do with the players. I think he is too soft on these players. I think the coach must just do us a favour and resign from this position. We thought this team would challenge Sundowns this season, but they will never do that. They lack motivation, dedication and fighting spirit. We are tired of watching Pirates.

Please, Mr Chairman, do something about it.

Sibusiso Xulu, Pietermaritzburg, Grange

As a Pirates supporter, I say to my fellow Bhakaniya fans that let us not fool ourselves into thinking we are on the same level as Sundowns. I see even our players on this publication think we can challenge Sundowns for the league title, but we are far from doing it. Yes, we are winning domestic cups, but our form generally is not impressive. How can we be losing to Spurs and handing them their first win at our expense? How can we lose to a team from Botswana in CAF whilst Sundowns battle the North African giants every year? And now we get knocked out of the Carling Knockout by Richards Bay. Mabhakabhaka, kwenze njani? Let’s first get our transfer business right and bring in the best players, then we can talk of challenging Sundowns for the league title.

Anesu Mutendi, via email