Gabuza’s absence concerns Micho
Bucs silent on player’s offence
Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Srejedovic has a tactical conundrum for the looming clash against Absa Premiership champions Bidvest Wits this weekend.
His striker Thamsanqa Gabuza could face disciplinary action for an undisclosed misdemeanour.
As their main striker, Gabuza’s name was conspicuously absent from the Pirates team sheet for their clash against Cape Town City on Tuesday, after having started the previous four games.
Starting the match without a natural forward, the Buccaneers toiled to secure a 1-0 win over the Mother City club at the FNB Stadium.
The Buccaneers played midfielders as strikers as their attack was led by Mpho Makola, Bernard Morrison and Thabo Qalinge.
Only after the introduction of strikers Thabiso Kutumela and Lyle Foster in the second half Pirates were able to unlock the City defence and Qalinge grabbed the winning goal in the 82nd minute.
“There are some things that need to be kept in the team, that we don’t want to put out in public,” Srejedovic said.
“We want to tell you that he has been out of the team for reasons known to us, but we are not ready to reveal [the reasons]. We shall see whether he will be available for the game against Wits.”
Pirates’ administrator Floyd Mbele informed Sowetan that he had not received any report from the technical team, but was confident that the matter would be resolved internally.
Unbeaten Pirates are among the pack leaders in the early stages of the league race, after three wins and two draws.
When they take on the defending champions at the Bidvest Stadium on Saturday, Micho will be left to ponder his strike options as Kutumela is still finding his feet and, at 17 years, Foster may not be ready to lead the attack.
“We expect a tough and unpredictable game, they know us and we know them, so I believe one detail will possibly decide which direction the result will go.”