Struggling Pirates
YOU CAN call it the Miracle in Maritzburg, although half-a-miracle would be more accurate.
Just after Kermit Erasmus scored Orlando Pirates’ third goal, to draw 3-3 with Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday, a Pirates’ fan in a wheelchair almost stood up in excitement as the club came back from 3-0. It’s not exactly a miracle of biblical proportions in a match where Pirates’ defence was cut open, in their red kit, like the red sea that Moses parted while the David that is the Team of Choice almost knocked out ‘Goliath-lite’ Bucs.
The Buccaneers are Goliath-lite because of the position they find themselves in, in the bottom half of the log. They have to go through another David in Jomo Cosmos at Olen Park Stadium in Potchefstroom on Saturday as they try to claw their way up.
The Ezenkosi sling will be fired by one Charlton Mashumba, The Zimbabwean forward has once again found the scoring touch that saw him score 19 goals last season in the first division and two more in the play-offs as Cosmos made their return to top flight football. Mashumba has already found the back of the net four times, despite starting the season five matches into it because of issues with his work permit.
“Games are different,” Mashumba said yesterday after the club’s training session in Springfield.
“There might have been defensive errors from Pirates in that match but they are probably working on them. Against us it will be a different test. We are obviously going to work on opening their defence and exploiting their frailties but it won’t pan out like it did against Maritzburg United. We are a totally different team with a different approach.”
The battle against the Team of Choice was a psychological one for the Buccaneers, having to show their mettle by coming back from 3-0 down. Against Cosmos they will face a physical battle when they take on this tough tackling side. Even at training they don’t spare one another, with challenges coming in hard and harsh words said to whichever teammates drops the ball. Pirates will welcome the return of Happy Jele for that battle while Ntsikelelo Nyauza will be out serving a one-match ban. Thandani Ntshumayelo is doubtful. He is experiencing some pain and swelling in his ankle.
F o r Mashumba – who says his target is to help Cosmos stay in the elite league, this will be another match to help him eventually realise his dream. He is on his way to following in the path left by his countryman Benjani Mwaruwari.
“I draw my inspiration from Benjani,” Mashumba said. “The man played in one of the best leagues in the world (in England). I admire that. I would love to be like him. He used to come here at our training and we would discuss a lot of things. He would tell me what’s it like to play for Jomo (Sono) and the doors he can open for me if I remain disciplined and committed.
“He told me to listen to instructions from the big man and I’ll go far. I was close to moving aboard at the start of the season. I decided to stay and play in here. Get a feel of the Premier League. I have found myself enjoying it because it is a good league. But like any other player I would like to eventually go abroad. If I get another chance to go abroad, I will take it. I know if I do well here, it will come.”