Bucs must self-correct to ride stormy waters
Matlaba bemoans missed chances
If ever there was a team that embodies the aphorism “the greatest obstacle you have to overcome is yourself”, it is Orlando Pirates.
The Buccaneers continue to shoot themselves in the foot by misfiring in front of goal when scoring would be the easier option. Against SuperSport United on Tuesday, they were held to their fourth goalless draw in the Absa Premiership this season.
Pirates supporters will be looking for an improved performance when they face AmaZulu at the Orlando Stadium tomorrow (8.15pm).
The Sea Robbers are yet to win two games in a row in the league. They have had sporadic results that include seven draws, four wins and two losses.
Skipper Thabo Matlaba admitted that the players were letting themselves down.
“To be honest we are doing everything right, it’s just that we are not taking our chances,” Matlaba said.
In the goalscoring department their attackers have hardly got off the ground with two top scorers Thamsanqa Gabuza and Thabo Qalinge only on three goals each.
Their vastly experienced Serbian coach Milutin Sredojevic has seen it all on the African continent.
Luckily for Pirates, if there is one coach who can correct their wayward ways it is the former Uganda national team mentor. Sredojevic wants all hands on deck in the scoring duties with goals expected to come from different sources.
“There is a conservative thinking in today’s football that scoring only belongs to strikers. Defences are very tight and people are always doubling on strikers, so other players must come to the party,” Sredojevic said.
“We need to provide firepower from all angles. Scoring must come from unexpected sources, including defenders and wingers.”
Usuthu will be chasing their first win after three successive draws in the league.