Pule has found his feet with Pirates
Netting a goal in your first official Soweto derby is the stuff of dreams for most South African footballers, and that is exactly what happened for Orlando Pirates’ Vincent Pule, as the 26-year-old slotted home from close range against Kaizer Chiefs to send the Ghost into raptures inside the FNB Stadium on October 27.
Pule’s goal proved to be decisive in a 2-1 Absa Premiership win for the Buccaneers, continuing their recent dominance over Amakhosi, and on the basis of this alone, it is not surprising that the former Bidvest Wits forward was the overwhelming winner of Phakaaathi’s Player-of-the-Month Award for October, comfortably holding off Polokwane City’s Jabu Maluleke, Wits’ Simon Murray and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Gaston Sirino.
Pule had sparkled in moments for Wits, but had frustrated with a lack of composure in front of goal.
That seems to have changed of late at Pirates – Pule now has five league and cup goals for the Buccaneers, more than he managed in the whole of last season with the Clever Boys.
His two goals in October were both decisive too – on October 20 he came off the bench to net Pirates’ winner on the hour mark in their 1-0 Telkom Knockout last-16 clash at home to Chippa United. This contribution in the last two games of the month more than made up for a slightly slow beginning to October, where Pule was unable to net in a goalless draw with Golden Arrows, and was then rested for the subsequent 1-1 draw at AmaZulu.
With the likes of Justin Shonga, Augustine Mulenga and Thembinkosi Lorch also at his disposal, indeed, Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic has plenty of room to rotate his attackers throughout the season. This is especially important with a hectic fixture schedule on the horizon, given that Pirates are back in the Caf Champions League, which starts later this year in its new format.
Pule could prove key for Pirates both domestically and on the continent, especially if he can keep up this regular and healthy habit of scoring.